Tension rises between Qaeda and insurgents in Iraq

By Mariam Karouny

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - An influential Sunni Arab insurgent group has called on al Qaeda in Iraq to "review" its behaviour in what is evidence of a growing rift between home- grown insurgents and al Qaeda.

The Islamic Army in Iraq, believed to be the largest group of former Baathists and military officers fighting Iraqi and U.S. forces, said it had dealt with al Qaeda militants with "patience and wisdom" to keep a united "resistance front".

"But this was not fruitful," the group said in a statement obtained by Reuters, the first public criticism from the Islamic Army, which is believed to have been operating under the umbrella of Sunni Islamist al Qaeda 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."

The growing tension coincides with a struggle for power between al Qaeda and traditionally minded Sunni tribal leaders who are angered by al Qaeda in Iraq's indiscriminate killing of civilians and severe interpretation of Sunni Islam.

Al Qaeda in Iraq wields wide influence in several western and central provinces, particularly in the vast Anbar region that stretches to Syria.

Iraq's government has repeatedly said it was holding talks with Sunni Arab insurgent groups, but never given specific details. Iraqi officials have said such talks, believed to be preliminary, were aimed at building a front against al Qaeda.