Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has accused Qatar and Saudi Arabia of having effectively declared war on his nation, saying they have been pushing sectarian attacks among Sunni militants in his country as well as neighboring Syria.
“These two countries are primarily responsible for the sectarian and terrorist and security crisis of Iraq,” Maliki added, saying they were buying arms for the groups as well as providing them “political, financial and media support.”
Maliki made the comments in an interview, and when pressed on the matter said he believes they are “openly hosting leaders of al-Qaeda.” Al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) has conquered much of the Anbar Province of Iraq, along with the town of Sulaiman Beg.
Though the two nations have open ties to Syrian rebel factions, they have insisted this doesn’t include AQI. It is unclear how the faction, the biggest in both Iraq and Syria by far, has managed to be so well funded.
Press TV report on Saudi fueled Iraqi violence
This article first appeared on AntiWar.