Iraq’s Relationship with ISIS
The relationship between Iraq and ISIS has been tumultuous from the beginning. Originally founded as Al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI), ISIS rose to power in Syria and Iraq through a combination of terror tactics, social media presence, and insurgent warfare. The organization proclaimed a caliphate in June 2014, which made them the largest and most powerful terrorist group in the world.
Iraqi forces have struggled against ISIS for years. The group is well-funded, well-armed, and has a large pool of foreign fighters who are willing to die for their cause. Iraqi security forces have been unable to retake territory lost to ISIS, and the economy has collapsed as a result of the war. The United States has played an important role in supporting Iraqi security forces, but it is unclear how much longer they can continue to do so without significant support from the international community.
How did the War Start?
The Iraq War began on March 20, 2003, when the United States and Great Britain invaded Iraq after failing to reach a peaceful resolution to the Saddam Hussein regime. The invasion was based on allegations that Hussein had weapons of mass destruction, which were never found.
The war escalated rapidly and by December 2003, more than 1 million people had been killed, making it one of the deadliest conflicts in world history. The United States and its allies failed to achieve their objectives and by 2008, the troop withdrawal was under way. The war has led to the displacement of millions of people and has cost more than $2 trillion.
Since its inception, ISIS has been a sectarian organization. Sectarianism is the belief that one’s sect is superior to all others and that belonging to a particular sect is an essential part of a person’s identity. ISIS exploits sectarian tensions in Iraq to create divisions among Iraqis and to gain support from certain sects while alienating others.
ISIS and Sectarianism
ISIS has targeted Shiites, Christians, and members of other religious groups for persecution. It has also targeted Sunnis who refuse to pledge allegiance to it or who oppose its extremist agenda. ISIS uses sectarian violence to terrorize civilians and suppress freedom of expression and association. The group has also targeted members of the security forces, which has created further divisions among Iraqis.
The Iraqi government has failed to address sectarianism and the brewing tensions between Sunni, Shiite, and other groups. In addition, Iraq’s weak economy and rampant corruption have exacerbated these problems. Unless the government addresses these issues, sectarianism will continue to play a role in Iraq’s political instability and its descent into civil war.
Conclusion
Iraq has been through a lot in the past few years. From bombings to civil wars, it’s no wonder that many people are pessimistic about the future of Iraq. But even amid all this chaos, there are still some rays of hope. One such ray of hope is the rise and growth of cryptocurrency in Iraq. Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum have given Iraqis a new way to trade and conduct business without worrying about government interference or political instability. With cryptocurrencies becoming increasingly popular in Iraq, it’s likely that the country will continue to grow and develop in interesting and exciting ways.
