Baghdad: An influential Sunni Arab insurgent group has called on Al Qaida in Iraq to 'review' its behaviour in what is evidence of a growing rift between insurgents and Al Qaida.
The Islamic Army in Iraq, believed to be the largest group of former Baathists and military officers fighting Iraqi and US forces, said it had dealt with Al Qaida militants with 'patience and wisdom' to keep a united 'resistance front'.
"But this was not fruitful," the group said in a statement, the first public criticism from the Islamic Army, which is believed to have been operating under the umbrella of Al Qaida in Iraq.
"Killing Sunnis has become a legitimate target for them, especially rich ones. Either they pay them what they want or they kill them," the statement said.
"They would kill any critic or whoever tries to show them their mistakes. Assaulting people's homes became permitted and calling people infidels also became popular."
