The Strategy of Jihad

"Releasing ordinary prisoners will help gain the group the image of a Sunni armed force representing Sunnis in a Shiite-governed state. Releasing militants will clearly provide a huge boost in morale. Depending on actual numbers, this could well boost (the group's) operations in Iraq but also feasibly in Syria."
Charles Lister, Analyst, IHS Jane's Terrorism and Insurgency Center

It is Ramadan, a time of ceremony and celebration in Islam. And during Ramadan good deeds are done. Like the bombing of mosques if they represent a sect other than the one the bombers represent as honouring. Like setting off suicide vests and honouring Islam and Ramadan by presenting yet another martyr to the cause, taking with him as many other Muslims or infidels as practically possible with the best of all possible intentions, though plans do sometimes go awry.

Iraq, once dominated by a Sunni minority Baathist government under a tyrant, under American tutelage with the removal of Saddam Hussein learned how to become a representative government in an nascent Islamic-style democracy with the inclusion of Shia, Sunni and Kurd to the executive administration of the government. A civil coalition that lasted as long as the U.S. troops did, then slipped into Shia control with their departure.

Leaving the minority Sunnis none too pleased, and prepared to join the ranks of al-Qaeda brethren whom they had once spurned and fought, aghast at their brutal atrocities in the country. A brief but bloody civil war educated the occupying U.S. and allied troops as to the deep and deadly fissures that run like an acidic pathology of hatred and revenge within any Muslim society that includes both Shia and Sunni. But then order was restored.

And now it is once again dissipated in an orgy of well-executed attacks by Sunni 'insurgents' against the Shia majority population who hugely resent and helplessly oppose the destruction of their mosques and the deadly accuracy of the Sunni explosives in diminishing their numbers. In the latest attack dozens were killed, including 25 of the Iraqi security forces.

Their al-Qaeda attackers fired mortar shells and detonated suicide vests and car bombs, a well choreographed symphony of hatred and vengeance unleashed on unsuspecting targets who will never have a second chance. Prisoners within Abu Ghraib prison were released in their hundreds, taken to include senior Sunni commanders. Another prison that houses thousands including convicted terrorists was targeted.

Al-Qaeda's Iraq mission has launched their "Breaking the Walls" campaign, whereby freeing prisoners from Iraqi confinement represents a top priority. Over three thousand people have been slaughtered since the beginning of April. Fears that another civil war may result from the sectarian killing inspiring a wider response are reverberating within the country. The dread disease that has afflicted Syria, compromised Lebanon and enfeebled Jordan is knocking at Iraq's gates.

"This big security failure shows that the top security commanders have failed to sort out any solutions for the ongoing security deterioration. The terrorists, not the security forces are now taking the initiative", claimed Mohamed Taha, a lawmaker who has publicly confirmed the mass escapes said to be 500 from Abu Ghraib, but none reported from Taji.

After the fact, curfews have been declared for both prisons. And reports that some prisoners have been rounded up, others killed have made their way through the media.