The fight against jihadists in Iraq
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has launched an offensive to reclaim territory from extremist Islamist group ISIS. The terrorist organization has also been fighting elsewhere in the Middle East, including Syria.
Reclaiming Tikrit
Sunni terrorist group ISIS (Islamic State in Iraq and Syria) has taken over parts of northern and western Iraq in recent weeks, reaching the city of Tikrit, around 140 kilometers (87 miles) northwest of Baghdad. Iraqi military forces have now launched an offensive to regain control of the city.
ISIS strives for power in the region
The ISIS group was closely tied to al-Qaeda in the past. It formed between 2006 and 2007 - the period of the strongest resistance against the US-led occupation of Iraq. The militants' goal is to establish control over the region covering Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, and Jordan. In Iraq and Syria they have joined forces with other rebel organizations, including the al-Nusra Front.
US supports rebels
The situation has led to some temporary alliances. The rebels in Syria and Iraq fighting against the governments of Bashar al-Assad and Nouri al-Maliki are not a united force; they comprise moderate and radical groups. The US is involving some of the moderate groups, such as the Syrian National Coalition, in its fight against ISIS. US President Obama plans to support the group with $500 million.
Risky investment
The US has dispatched military advisers to Iraq and is deploying combat drones, allegedly to protect US institutions and soldiers. If the Congress approves the injection of $500 million into equipping rebels, the funds will be used in Syria and Iraq, according to Secretary of State John Kerry. But how can the US ensure that the money doesn't end up in the hands of ISIS militants?
Kurds follow own agenda
The US has demanded that Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, a Shiite, build a government with Sunni and Kurdish representation. The Kurds, who have a certain degree of autonomy in Iraq and Syria, are fighting against ISIS as part of a Kurdish independence movement known as Peshmerga (pictured). In Iraq, their goal is clear: the complete independence of Kurdistan.
What is Iran's role?
Iran finds itself in a difficult situation. It wants to avoid an armed conflict between Sunnis and Shiites at all cost. But Iran's government, which is also headed by Shiites, is allegedly providing support to al-Maliki. According to a recent report in the New York Times, Iran has sent reconnaissance drones and military equipment to Iraq.
Over 1,000 casualties
Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, is one of the supporters of Syrian rebel groups. According to al-Maliki, Saudi money has gone into financing ISIS. Over 1,000 people have been killed in the conflict in Iraq alone. Human rights organizations have criticized both ISIS and Iraqi government forces.
Increasing numbers of refugees
In Iraq, an estimated 1.2 million people are currently fleeing the conflict. In addition to this, 225,000 Syrian war refugees are currently in the autonomous Kurdish provinces, according to the foreign office. The Khazair checkpoint (pictured) is mostly crossed by refugees from the northern Iraqi city of Mosul on their way to Erbil in the Kurdistan region.
Volunteers join the fight
Al-Maliki recently said that Iraq purchased used fighter jets from Russia and Belarus. They are ready to be used against ISIS insurgents. Numerous volunteers (pictured) are also joining the battle - at the same time as some Iraqi soldiers have deserted the army. It is alleged that al-Maliki has resorted to paying volunteers to fight ISIS.