The Institute for the Study of War has published another installment of its Baghdad Neighborhood Project, this one focusing on Washash and Iskan. The report notes that “Washash remains one of the few remaining ‘hotspots’ for ethno-sectarian violence in the capital” and that “by controlling access to the population, US forces hope to tamp down JAM activity in the area, protect remaining Sunni residents, and close off a key access route for JAM fighters into central Mansour.” The good news is that sectarian retribution between al Qaeda and Shia militias has diminished in this area. The bad news: there is increasing tension among the remaining Shiite militia groups. These reports are far more detailed than anything you’re likely to read in the paper…go read the whole thing.
