The struggle for land, resources and control along a northern strip that has become known as the fault line is festering and threatening hopes of unity among Iraq\u2019s disparate ethnic and religious factions.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have three governments up here: the central government, the Kurdish government and the Islamic State of Iraq government,\u201d\u009d said an Iraqi soldier from Khazna who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of retribution. \u201cWe are lost in the middle.\u201d\u009d<\/p>\n
The central government is trying to push back an expansionist Kurdistan regional government; Sunni Arab leaders have old and new scores to settle with Kurdish leaders; and insurgents linked to Saddam Hussein\u2019s ousted government and Al Qaeda want to foment conflict. All sides appear to be retrenching, shunning compromise or buying time as the withdrawal of American forces looms. Villages like Khazna and minorities like theShabaks who live on this fault line continue to pay the heaviest price.<\/p>\n