Iraq鈥檚 opportunity in the battle for Mosul
In the next few weeks or months, the Iraqi Army is expected to fight 鈥渢he mother of all battles鈥� against Islamic State. With American support, it plans to retake Mosul, Iraq鈥檚 second-largest city and IS鈥檚 main stronghold since 2014. A victory would deal a decisive blow to IS鈥檚 self-proclaimed caliphate.
For Iraq, however, retaking Mosul could bring a fresh start for its young democracy by restoring the country鈥檚 historic harmony between Sunnis and Shiites. For too long, terrorist groups like IS, as well as corrupt Iraqi leaders 鈥� and indeed other states in the Middle East 鈥� have exploited sectarian differences between Islam鈥檚 two main branches. After years of such violence 鈥� by Saddam Hussein, al Qaeda, and now IS 鈥� Iraqis may be in a better mood to reconcile.
Those who despair over this possibility happening need to know that about 40 percent of Iraqis were from Sunni-Shia mixed marriages until the 2003 American invasion. (The children of such marriages are dubbed 鈥淪ushis.鈥�) And ever since IS took over a third of Iraq鈥檚 territory two years ago, the Iraqi Army has made major reforms that have brought more Sunnis into its ranks.聽 Meanwhile, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has tried to keep a delicate balance of Sunnis and Shiites in his government.
A big test for Iraq will be in how it protects Mosul鈥檚 mainly Sunni residents 鈥� an estimated 1 million people 鈥� both during the battle and in the expected wave of refugees fleeing the city. The United Nations predicts the fighting will produce a 鈥渄isplacement on a scale not seen globally in many years.鈥� With humanitarian support from the rest of the world, Iraqi officials must offer relief and aid to Mosul鈥檚 displaced.
Preparations to retake Mosul began in March and the Iraqi Army has since taken a number of smaller cities from IS. With a nod from the United States, it is working with Iran-backed Shiite militias as well as coordinating with ethnic Kurdish forces in the north, known as peshmerga. With US air power, the battle of Mosul could be a turning point for both IS and Iraq.
IS鈥檚 brutal reign over mainly Sunni cities has proved to Iraqis that they cannot let religious differences create a vacuum for extremists or those seeking power. The Quran calls on Muslims to 鈥渘ot become divided.鈥� A victory in Mosul will be an opportunity for Iraqis to once again live by that creed.
