Serious Threats to Iraq’s Territorial Integrity

Amer Araim

The domination of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) over one third of Iraq, and Kurdish fighters known as Pesh Marga control of the province of Kirkuk have worsened the already volatile situation in Iraq. For more than a year Sunni Arab provinces, which suffered tremendously after the United States occupation in 2003, have demonstrated, and challenged the authority of the central government, which resulted in deaths and destruction in Sunni Arab parts of Iraq. There is a realization by the majority of Iraqis including moderate Shiites that all Iraqis, and particularly Sunni Arabs have paid very heavy price since the United States’ invasion of their country. Therefore, the United Nations and the United States government have special responsibilities and obligations to get Iraq out of this abyss.

The situation is deteriorating and there is no light at the end of the Iraqi tunnel unless the United Nations Security Council takes immediate action. It is a fact that the permanent members of the Security Council are no longer committed to fulfill their responsibility under the Charter of the United Nations to maintain international peace and security without looking at each case from the prism of the narrow national interests of each one of them. Unfortunately, that is one of weaknesses of the United Nations today.

Nevertheless, world public opinion including nongovernmental organizations, human rights groups, and the media have special obligations to press the United Nations Security Council, and the United States government to move forward to achieve a permanent solution to the Iraqi crisis. Once Sunni Arabs get international assurances of ending the sectarian policies of the Iraqi government, and that the national resources of Iraq are utilized for the well being and prosperity of all Iraqis, they will be in a position to neutralize and eliminate the threat of ISIS or any militant groups in their areas.

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