It is important that Iraq recovers its self-respect and removes Daesh (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant) from its territory. The longer Daesh remains in control of Iraqi territory, the longer that malignant and barbaric organisation will get a chance to force its warped views on the suffering population.
The Iraqi government is well aware that Daesh cannot be totally defeated from the air and therefore it should launch a ground offensive as soon as it can. The new Iraqi government under Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi has been reforming its army after the disaster when the previous army was suddenly defeated by Daesh last June and a large part of Iraq — including Mosul, Iraq’s second largest city — fell under Daesh control. But the process of renewal should not be an excuse for lack of action.
In order to have the best skills available, Iraqis have sought support from a wide range of allies. More than 60 nations have committed to the coalition against Daesh, many of whom have been active in conducting air strikes on key Daesh sites and stopping their advance.
In addition, the allies have also contributed vital support, supply, training and intelligence and are perhaps ready to offer more as required by the Iraqis.
Nonetheless, given the effectiveness of the military and international support, it is important for any long-term success to have the political solution clearly in sight before the fighting starts. The Iraqi government says it is ready to welcome back Iraqi citizens who have been forced into supporting Daesh, but it wants to remove the foreign extremists that have penetrated Iraq.
It will also be important that the lead in the fighting is taken by the secular and inclusive forces of the Iraqi government. Any involvement of sectarian militias in the fighting in western and northern Iraq will send a disastrous message to the abused population who had withdrawn their loyalty to the Iraqi state under former premier Nouri Al Maliki over the issue of excessive sectarian penetration of Iraqi state institutions.
