Ominous Signs In Iraq

A United States soldier patrolled the outskirts of Baquba, the capital of Diyala Province, where there are sectarian tensions.

Bungled Raid In Diyala Threatens Political Developments, Military Operations -- Long War Journal

BAQUBAH, IRAQ: Recent political progress in Diyala may unravel after a botched attempt to capture a provincial official at the main governmental center in Baqubah killed an assistant to the provincial governor.

An attempt to arrest a Sunni member of the provincial parliament, Husain al Zubsidy, by a special division of the Iraqi Army went foul early on Aug. 19, causing a 30-minute firefight between the Iraqi army and local police. A special assistant to the governor of Diyala was killed in the shootout. The assistant, al Tamimi, was also a close relative of the governor of Diyala, Ra’ad Rashid al Tamini, and the killing has threatened to unhinge gains made in recent weeks.

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More News On The Province Of Diyala, Iraq

Iraqi Government Raid Threatens to Inflame Province’s Tensions -- New York Times
Iraqi PM orders probe in raid on Diyala provincial governor's office -- China View
Iraqi Troops Detain Prominent Sunni Leader's Son -- Voice Of America
Iraqi troops detain son of Sunni leader -- AFP
Sectarian Bias Alleged In Iraqi Raids in Diyala -- Washington Post
Raid on governor's office in Iraq's Diyala province sparks outrage -- LA Times

My Comment: With provincial elections coming in a few months, tensions in the mainly Sunni provinces with Shiite communities will increase with time. But unlike U.S. elections, Iraqi retail politics can get very nasty.