Iraq distributes evidence of Riyadh being behind Fallujah unrest

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki handed evidence to foreign ambassadors in Baghdad showing Saudi Arabia’s involvement in triggering the deadly violence led by Al-Qaeda in al-Anbar. Ali Al-Shalah, Iraqi MP and member of the State of Law Coalition (SLC) said on Monday, the Iraqi government has distributed evidence that showed Saudi Arabia and several other countries were behind the recent terrorist attacks in al-Anbar Province, Al-Alam reported. He said the documents were given to the ambassadors in a Thursday meeting in Baghdad. The violence in Anbar broke out on December 30, 2013, when the army removed a protest camp in Ramadi, believed to be a nest for Al-Qaeda elements which the government said were making plans to destabilize the country. The fighting later spread to nearby Fallujah in Anbar province. Shalah said the government has asked the foreign diplomats to adopt proper stance against Al-Qaeda terrorists in international communities. “Iraq is attempting to hold a conference for denouncing terrorism, especially as Russia has also recognized Saudi Arabia as being responsible for the recent terrorist movements,” he said. Russia has been critical of the Riyadh regime for supporting terrorist groups which have been involved in a deadly crisis in Syria since 2011. The conflict in Syria started in March 2011, when sporadic pro-reform protests turned into a massive insurgency following the intervention of western and regional states. The unrest, which took in terrorist groups from across Europe, the Middle-East and North Africa, has transpired as one of the bloodiest conflicts in recent history. As the foreign-backed insurgency in Syria continues without an end in sight, the US government has boosted its political and military support to Takfiri extremists. Washington has remained indifferent to warnings by Russia and other world powers about the consequences of arming militant groups.