Iraq crisis: Iran and US join fight against Sunni jihadis of Isis
- [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.], Saturday 14 June 2014
President Obama contemplates air strikes against Sunni insurgents as Tehran sends top general to Baghdad
The United States and [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] are moving rapidly to defend [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] from rampaging Sunni Islamist insurgents, with Washington urgently considering air strikes on the jihadi militants and Tehran dispatching its foremost powerbroker to help arrange the defence of Baghdad.
Senior US officials told the Guardian that an air campaign was under serious discussion, possibly targeting fighters not just in Iraq but in Syria, where they have seized swaths of territory in the past two years. President [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] said that decisions would be taken in the "days ahead".
Iran, meanwhile, moved to defend its own interests in its western neighbour, sending Major General Qassem Suleimani, an éminence griseof the Iranian revolutionary guards, to Baghdad to meet militia leaders and tribal chiefs in control of the Iraqi capital's vulnerable western approaches.
The scramble by two staunch adversaries to shore up the embattled Iraqi authorities underscored how seriously they take the situation in a country in danger of fragmentation as a result of this week's sudden advance by fighters from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant ([You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]).
The jihadi grouping, consisting of no more than 7,000 men, has upended regional calculus this week, seizing key Iraqi cities and towns in the north, sending the army fleeing as they sweep south to within 50 miles of the capital. Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis are on the move, seeking safe haven. The UN has warned that the Isis fighters have committed summary executions and rape on their irresistible advance.
The next big town in their way is Samarra, known for its Shia shrines. Units of Shia militia were escorted north from Baghdad to defend its holy sites. Fighting was reported in and around the city on Friday. Witnesses said the shrines remained undamaged and that the insurgents had not been threatening residents. "Some of them have long hair and they are carrying black flags," said one man. "They are Arabs from other countries."
Hours later a statement from Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, Iraq's most influential Shia cleric, read to his followers at Friday prayers in Kerbala, urged them to take up arms against the Sunni insurgents. "People who are capable of carrying arms and fighting the terrorists in defence of their country … should volunteer to join the security forces to achieve this sacred goal," the statement said.
External help also looked likely, following the latest comments from Obama and other administration officials. The president has ruled out sending US soldiers and marines back to the Iraqi streets they patrolled from 2003 to 2011, but signalled a new, reluctant openness to returning the US to war in Iraq.
Isis "could pose a threat eventually to American interests as well", Obama said in a televised address. He vowed not to be "dragged back into a situation in which, while we're there keeping a lid on things, and after enormous sacrifices by us, as soon as we're not there, people end up acting in ways that are not conducive to the long-term stability and prosperity of the country".
Officials told the Guardian that options under discussion include an air campaign, using either air force or navy warplanes or both. The duration of such a campaign has yet to be determined. Drone strikes remain under consideration, but manned aircraft are said to the preferred option, owing to their superiority against moving and manoeuvrable targets.
Two officials said that a strike at Isis in Iraq and Syria was under consideration. Isis "is now across the border", said a Pentagon official, who requested anonymity. "It is possible to take out the head. You've got to take out the heart … Everything is being looked at."
Suleimani's role remains less clear. The powerful figure, commander of the elite Quds force of the Iranian revolutionary guards, did not meet the beleaguered Iraqi prime minister, Nuri al-Maliki, or Iraqi generals, but the militia leaders likely to play a role in taking the fight to Isis.
The insurgency has emerged as the biggest threat to Iraq's stability since the US withdrawal three years ago. A new humanitarian crisis is unfolding, UN officials have warned. Rupert Colville, the UN human rights spokesman, said that hundreds of people were killed, many of them summarily executed, after Isis overran Mosul on Tuesday.
"We've received reports of the summary execution of Iraqi army soldiers during the capture of Mosul and of 17 civilians in one particular street," Colville said. "There was also the execution of a court employee in the Dawasa area in central Mosul and the execution of 12 people in Dawasa who were believed to have been serving with the Iraq security services or possibly with members of the police."
He said the UN mission had interviewed some of the 500,000 people who fled Mosul. A further 40,000 people were estimated to have fled Tikrit and Samara, according to the International Organisation for Migration.
Iraqi officials who remained in the northern city of Kirkuk, which was seized by Kurdish peshmerga forces on Thursday, said the [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] were consolidating their presence. "They came to stay," said one police captain on Friday. "They're not going anywhere."
The Kurdish control of Kirkuk, a city coveted by them for centuries, is one of the biggest shifts in a week that has starkly exposed the impotence of the government and the frailty of Iraq's borders.
Kurds, Arabs and Turkmen all expressed a sense that security under the Kurds was better than mayhem under someone else.
"I am happy for the [Kurdish military] peshmerga forces to stay in Kirkuk if they can bring security to the residents," said Mohammed, a Sunni Arab, blaming the Maliki government for a lack of security in the country. "Maliki has filled the prisons with Sunnis and intensified the sectarian tendencies in the society."
But Emma Sky, who ran the governorate of Kirkuk for the transitional government and who now lectures on Iraqi politics at Yale University, believes that the widespread joy at Kurdish control may not remain universal for long.
"While many Kurds will be pleased to see Kirkuk come under the authority of the KRG [Kurdistan regional government], there will be many Arabs who will not be. Within the province itself, the Arabs of Hawija will resent this takeover," she said.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
Today at 5:28 pm by Rocky
» utube MM&C 4/16/24 IQD Update - Iraq Dinar - America - Activate - Massive Economic Deals -
Today at 5:24 pm by Rocky
» Al-Sudani urges the US corporation Honeywell to help finish the Basra refinery
Today at 2:48 pm by Rocky
» Al-Sudani Meets with Representatives of Western Media Outlets in Washington
Today at 2:46 pm by Rocky
» Chairman of the Investment Authority signs the United Nations Convention on International Mediation
Today at 2:44 pm by Rocky
» PM: We will sign a contract to establish the Al-Faw refinery with a Chinese company
Today at 2:42 pm by Rocky
» PM arrives in Houston as part of his visit to USA
Today at 2:41 pm by Rocky
» Militia Man & Crew 4/18/24 Bush signed it and all presidents implemented it. Iraq’s funds have been
Today at 1:46 pm by Rocky
» Association of Iraqi Private Banks: The suspension of some electronic payment services yesterday was
Today at 7:14 am by Rocky
» Iraq is close to launching the electronic signature
Today at 7:12 am by Rocky
» The Basra government discusses with an international oil company the implementation of social benefi
Today at 7:11 am by Rocky
» The Prime Minister confirms to an American company: Gas projects in Iraq are a priority for the gove
Today at 7:10 am by Rocky
» The Minister of Planning discusses with the World Bank mechanisms for scheduling external loans
Today at 7:09 am by Rocky
» Oil sets the twenty-seventh of this month as the date for opening contracts for the fifth complement
Today at 7:08 am by Rocky
» “Electronic begging”...professionalism and fabrication of stories” generates millions of dinars dail
Today at 7:05 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani calls on the American company Hanwell to contribute to the completion of the Basra refiner
Today at 7:03 am by Rocky
» An American company expresses its willingness to establish LED lighting production lines in Iraq
Today at 7:02 am by Rocky
» Including Iraq.. Iran announces the possibility of exporting 300 megawatts of “renewable electricity
Today at 7:01 am by Rocky
» Political forces present two options to find an alternative to Al-Halbousi
Today at 6:58 am by Rocky
» Parliament is awaiting the arrival of the budget schedules and the government is studying higher spe
Today at 6:56 am by Rocky
» The International Monetary Fund adjusts its expectations for the development of the world’s economie
Today at 6:54 am by Rocky
» A representative talks about the difficulty of finalizing the file of “electing the Speaker of Parli
Today at 6:50 am by Rocky
» Work on preparing a law for diplomatic passports
Today at 6:49 am by Rocky
» A female representative accuses the Ministry of Immigration of corruption
Today at 6:47 am by Rocky
» Minister: Solving the Kurdistan salaries problem is the beginning of addressing other disputes betwe
Today at 6:45 am by Rocky
» About 270 million dollars were sold by the Central Bank of Iraq in the currency auction
Today at 6:42 am by Rocky
» The volume of trade exchange between Jordan and Iraq will exceed 800 million dinars in 2023
Today at 6:41 am by Rocky
» Iraq signs memorandums of understanding with American companies in the fields of electricity, oil an
Today at 5:31 am by Rocky
» The American company that manufactures the F16 expresses its readiness to implement the terms of con
Today at 5:30 am by Rocky
» The volume of expected Qatari investments for the Iraq Fund for Development exceeds $3.5 billion
Today at 5:29 am by Rocky
» Decrease in dollar prices in Baghdad and Erbil
Today at 5:27 am by Rocky
» The President of the Region brings together the Kurdish parties to resolve the election file
Today at 5:26 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani receives in Washington the Chairman of JPMorgan
Today at 5:25 am by Rocky
» Transport is starting to transform its ports into smart ones
Today at 5:23 am by Rocky
» Sudanese reveals the volume of exchange with America
Today at 5:22 am by Rocky
» "Al-Eqtisad News" publishes the memorandums of understanding signed between the Iraqi delegation and
Today at 5:21 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani urges an American company to contribute to establishing a chemical materials factory
Today at 5:20 am by Rocky
» Iraq stresses the importance of Lockheed Martin's commitment to opening military aircraft maintenanc
Today at 5:19 am by Rocky
» Iraq is on the verge of a “water disaster” by 2035
Today at 5:18 am by Rocky
» Great satisfaction and optimism with the results of Sudanese’s visit to Washington
Today at 5:16 am by Rocky
» Transport is beginning to adopt a plan to transform its ports into smart ones
Today at 5:15 am by Rocky
» Completed 8,000 loan transactions at the Housing Bank
Today at 5:14 am by Rocky
» Prime Minister: We plan to invest production capacities for export
Today at 5:12 am by Rocky
» Transformation and partnership...a new horizon in Iraqi-American relations
Today at 5:10 am by Rocky
» What is new in the economic dimension of the Washington visit?
Today at 5:09 am by Rocky
» Two letters to the future
Today at 5:08 am by Rocky
» National interests first
Today at 5:06 am by Rocky
» Iraqi-American rapprochement...a national necessity
Today at 5:05 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani’s visit to Washington and the course of Iraqi-American relations
Today at 5:04 am by Rocky
» Sudanese carries security, economic and development files to Washington
Today at 5:03 am by Rocky
» Armament and military development... features of a sustainable partnership
Today at 5:02 am by Rocky
» Analysts: Sudanese's visit to Washington will achieve excellent results in the future
Today at 5:01 am by Rocky
» Iraqi-American relations...the legacy of the past and the aspirations of partnership
Today at 5:00 am by Rocky
» Sudanese and external necessities
Today at 4:59 am by Rocky
» The Strategic Framework Agreement... 7 important provisions
Today at 4:58 am by Rocky
» Joint statement of the Iraqi-American discussions
Today at 4:56 am by Rocky
» Supreme Coordinating Committee: Iraq's role is vital to the security and prosperity of the region
Today at 4:55 am by Rocky
» Towards an effective bilateral economic relationship between Baghdad and Washington
Today at 4:53 am by Rocky
» She saw it as a new, different chapter in Iraqi-American relations... Al-Sudani’s visit to Washingto
Today at 4:52 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani’s visit to Washington.. Implications and results
Today at 4:51 am by Rocky
» Advisor to the Prime Minister: The relationship with America has moved to the stage of cooperation
Today at 4:50 am by Rocky
» Sudanese sponsors the signing ceremony of memorandums of understanding in America
Today at 4:47 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: The volume of exchange between Iraq and the United States does not exceed 10 billion doll
Today at 4:46 am by Rocky
» During Erdogan's visit on Monday, Iraq seeks to sign the "Water Protocol" with Türkiye
Today at 4:45 am by Rocky
» With the escalation of tension between Tehran and Tel Aviv...an expert reveals the secrets of Sudane
Today at 4:43 am by Rocky
» There are 150 draft laws on the parliament table waiting to be voted on... and the debates require c
Today at 4:42 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani stresses the necessity of continuing the dialogue with the US Treasury, the Federal Reserv
Today at 4:41 am by Rocky
» Deputy: We reject the term sanctions, and Iraq is financially independent
Today at 4:38 am by Rocky
» Warnings of a “political impasse” after Barzani’s boycott of the elections... Al-Sadr raises questio
Today at 4:37 am by Rocky
» The head of the Kurdistan Regional Government’s representative office in Baghdad visits the external
Today at 4:36 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: There are no combat forces in Iraq to withdraw.. The Iraqi Prime Minister confirmed in Wa
Today at 4:34 am by Rocky
» Do the Iraqi political blocs really intend to hold the second early elections?
Today at 4:33 am by Rocky
» Baghdad is not aware of the factions’ participation in the attack on Israel, and Washington is revie
Today at 4:32 am by Rocky
» Progress: Al-Halbousi may return to the presidency of Parliament
Today at 4:30 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: Iraq has distinguished relations with Iran and America
Today at 4:30 am by Rocky
» Minister of Industry: Iraq is not a rich country and the electricity problem will not be solved even
Today at 4:29 am by Rocky
» A prospective law to employ prisoners and detainees... job and retirement opportunities similar to E
Today at 4:27 am by Rocky
» Sako in Baghdad.. Three possible scenarios for his return after the “withdrawal of the decree” crisi
Today at 4:26 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Integrity reveals a move with the judiciary to recover TBI Bank’s funds
Today at 4:24 am by Rocky
» Iraq signs 18 memorandums of understanding with Washington
Today at 4:22 am by Rocky
» An Iraqi judicial delegation arrives in Syria to discuss terrorism files and document ISIS crimes
Today at 4:21 am by Rocky
» A plan to exploit new lands...the latest developments in the wheat, barley and rice season in Iraq
Today at 4:19 am by Rocky
» Al-Abadi accuses oil companies of causing 70% of the cancer rate in Basra
Today at 4:17 am by Rocky
» Justice announces the formation of a higher committee to resolve the state’s real estate file
Today at 4:16 am by Rocky
» Deputy: Iraq seeks to sign the “Water Protocol” with Türkiye
Today at 4:15 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani stresses the importance of the American company Lockheed’s commitment to opening military
Today at 4:13 am by Rocky
» The team accompanying Sudanese in Washington: America will hand over to Iraq the antiquities that we
Today at 4:12 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani sponsors the signing ceremony of memorandums of understanding with American companies
Yesterday at 3:38 pm by Rocky
» MM&C 4/17/24 Saleh: The budget tables are almost complete and will take into account urgent circu
Yesterday at 3:36 pm by Rocky
» Saleh: Private banks in Iraq are considering reorganizing themselves with another government structu
Yesterday at 3:33 pm by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: It is not possible to work in any development sector without reforming the banking sector
Yesterday at 3:32 pm by Rocky
» Minister of Oil: Kurdistan’s exports will soon resume, and the region must hand over its oil to SOMO
Yesterday at 3:30 pm by Rocky
» An economic expert identifies ways for Iraq to get out of oil rents... starting with $350 million
Yesterday at 3:29 pm by Rocky
» Parliamentary Oil: A proposal to establish Iraqi refineries in neighboring countries... and these ar
Yesterday at 3:28 pm by Rocky
» Al-Ardawi: The Sudanese government seeks to liberalize the Iraqi dinar and stabilize the economy
Yesterday at 3:27 pm by Rocky
» MM&C 4/17/24 Al-Sudani receives in Washington the Chairman of JPMorgan
Yesterday at 2:41 pm by Rocky
» MM&C 4/17/24 US Supports Iraq in joining WTO
Yesterday at 2:36 pm by Rocky
» US Supports Iraq in joining WTO
Yesterday at 10:17 am by Rocky
» utube 4/14/24 MM&C Iraqi Dinar - Iraq Prime Minister in Washington - Coming to
Yesterday at 8:58 am by Rocky