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Iraq-Sunni and Iran back militia clashes Tensions in the Middle East have risen due to reports that Iraq-linked militias have attacked forces supported by Iran, which have created
Tensions in the Middle East have risen due to reports that Iraq-linked militias have attacked forces supported by Iran, which have created a fear of an even bigger conflict. The retaliatory attacks have mounted on Iran-backed groups in Iraq, further complicating the fragile alliances of the region. These acts have placed Iraq in a tricky position as it tries to avoid a full-scale war with Iran and maintain domestic stability.
Iraq-Iran relations, though multifaceted, go back at least to the catastrophic Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s up to current-day undertakings marked by forced coexistence with tension. However, even though Iraq has sought not to entangle itself in other regional disputes, the impact of a variety of militias whom Iran has backed in the region has ensured that it stays squarely at the eye of the storm of contention among regional superpowers. These militias, often affiliated with Iran’s influence, have grown in strength and visibility in Iraq since the defeat of ISIS, but their loyalty to Tehran has become a cause for concern in the Iraqi government.
As a result of Iran’s penetration everywhere from the military to economic affairs, Iraq has been under both internal elements and external players increasing their pressure on her. The vast majority of Iraq’s provinces are controlled by Iran-supported militias that act on their own but still pay loyalty to Tehran, and its government has been unable to control them because it is afraid that they are being used to destabilize the region.
It was reportedly the first time the Iran-backed militias had taken the direct confrontation with the factions allegedly backed by Iraq to that level. The strikes apparently aimed at weakening Iranian’s military presence in Iraq are said to have invited the ferocious response of forces related to Iran, aggravating the situation. According to sources, the official reaction from the Iraqi government remained cautious, but senior officers in the Iraqi army, however, have shown grave concern over the operational space left open for powerful proxies directly related to Iran inside its territory.
Iran-backed militias in Iraq have been operational in serving Tehran’s objectives for the region, like attacks on Israeli interests for weeks now. However, the previously tolerated coexistence among local Iraqi forces is breaking down, and those militia groups have clashed with them, and the potential threat is spilling into direct conflict between Iranian forces and those trying to consolidate power in mixed allegiances.
Iraq is now in a tight spot to avoid being pulled into broader Middle Eastern conflicts while keeping internal factions loyal to Iran at bay. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani has vowed to preserve national sovereignty, but his government is increasingly under pressure to keep Iranian influence in check within its borders. Most of Iraq’s citizens fear the consequences of openly opposing Iran, which has strong political and economic ties with Baghdad.
Yet another impact of this rising dissatisfaction is how it would reflect on Iraq’s relations with the United States. Iraq was called upon by US leaders to limit Iran’s influence, as stabilizing Iraq as an independent regional player is necessary. However, the presence of Iranian-backed forces has complicated Iraq’s ability to exercise full autonomy, and continuous attacks on these groups can threaten Iraq’s ties with Tehran.
The latest wave of attacks between the Iraqi-linked and Iranian-backed militias suggests that there might be a shift in Iraq’s stance vis-a-vis its powerful neighbor. Iraqi efforts at asserting themselves against the militias aligned with foreigners signify newfound resolve at keeping their house in order. Still, if such attacks are unchecked, Baghdad is likely to face an even stronger retaliation from Tehran that will add to the instability factor within the region.
Without diplomatic intervention, the conflict may degenerate into protracted and complicated fighting in the Middle East, warn its experts. The Iraqi government is constantly challenged to bring its internal factions and balances with Iran and the US into a stable order of things. Neighboring countries and global powers continue to watch closely as this region waits for Iraq’s next moves, knowing fully well that an escalation there could have far-reaching impacts.
The most recent skirmishes between Iraqi-linked militias and Iran-backed forces mirror the larger crisis facing Iraq: to be free of external control and domination. Iraq’s leadership has to make a decisive decision today: to pursue its independence by driving out forces that are pro-Iran or to embrace Iran as an indispensable force for stability in Iraq.
It’s already a place with enough turbulence for now, the after effects of those events may reach well out of the country of Iraq’s borders. While international world opinion holds its collective breath and hopes that there’ll be a diplomatic way that’ll bring about stability on what has been already become quite unstable Middle East in light of the latest steps Iraq takes.
