A recent BBC news article titled "Iraq 'retakes over quarter of Islamic State territory'" stated that "
Islamic State (IS) has lost more than a quarter of its territory in Iraq since the US-led coalition air campaign began in August, a Pentagon spokesman says. Col Steve Warren said it was too early to say the tide was turning, but that air strikes and Iraqi ground forces had "unquestionably inflicted some damage". This is a news that is welcoming to the ear, Isis have done so much irreparable damage. People have been killed, civilians have been forced to flee their own countries, economies have been severely affected and they are in control of some of the major cities in Iran, Iraq and Syria. It is clear that some progress have been made but will that trajectory continue? Iraqi PM Haider al-Abadi wants the coalition to step up its air campaign against IS. Having seen that Iraq has claim 20 - 30% of its territory through the air campaign against IS, Prime minister al-Abadi wants to take it a step further, to step it up a notch. But will that be enough to suppress ISIS?
I commend them for their efforts and their progress. It was earlier that some members of Iran's army declared that they do not need help from the United States, but PM al-Abadi has a different view. He has sought help from the US and as such, there were provision of resources, man power and training for Iraqi soldiers. Isis is not the only extremists group present. You have al-shabaab and Boko Haram, but ISIS has proven to be the most powerful. Air strikes can to just do so much and no more but its not all safe haven, it will take more than that to get any real result. According to BBC analyst Jim Muir, "While coalition bombing has helped contain and damage IS, only troops can push it back. The Kurds, both in Iraq and Syria, have proven by far the most cohesive forces in doing that. The structural deficiencies in Iraq's army, and the controversy over the use of Shia militia, may limit the extent - and extend the timeframe - of further advances against IS in Iraq." This might include more man power from the US or any other country willing to help. Let us face it, US has one of the best armies in the world and effective resources. Therefore, I find Iran's statement of needing no help from the US quite troubling.
One of the questions that needs answering is what will become of the other extremist groups who are reigning havoc all in other parts such as Africa and Yemen? Counties such as Syria and Yemen are struggling because of the rise of extremist groups. The Houthis has taken over Sanaa, Capital of Yemen and the prime minster had been for to flee. Currently, the economic situation in Yemen is disastrous because of this extremist group. It is a common thought that Iran is backing this group but the occasionally deny the accusation. Saudi Arabia has stepped us and launch a air campaign in Yemen against extremist groups but it is currently causing conflict between Iraq and Saudi Arabia. An article in the New York Times titled "Tensions Flare Between Iraq and Saudi Arabia in U.S. Coalition" stated that "A remarkable clash between two key American allies in the Middle East burst into the open here on Wednesday as the Iraqi prime minister publicly criticized the Saudi air campaign in Yemen and a top Saudi official retorted that there was “no logic to those remarks.” This should not be happening now. Now is not the time to start up tensions and conflicts but to work together to achieve a common goal - to suppress these extremists groups. We also learn of what Boko Haram has been doing in Africa, and the recent massacre in Kenya by Al-Shabaab, however, help in Africa is quite negligible and I find that most troubling.
With this conflict flaring up, it is unlikely that these groups will ever be suppressed. We can, at least, compromise, put aside our differences and work together for even greater results. People are being killed, lives are being destroyed, the time spent on unnecessary conflicts are robbing people of their lives. Under these circumstances, leader are to think about the people and not about starting up tensions that will get us no where. The article quoted PM al-Abadi saying “The dangerous thing is we don’t know what the Saudis want to do after this,” Mr. Abadi said. “Is Iraq within their radar? That’s very, very dangerous. The idea that you intervene in another state unprovoked just for regional ambition is wrong. Saddam has done it before. See what it has done to the country.” To me that is rather being paranoid than having a legitimate concern. Saudi Officials insists that the airstrikes have been effective and measures are being put in place to minimize damage to civilians. Yemen is in dire need of help, that is a fact and Iraq has their own troubles to deal with than to offer help.
I would really like to see the day when Isis is no more, but until then. I will continue to watch, to see the outcome of numerous efforts to suppress them. Let us hope and pray that things will be for the better, some day.
