Iraqi forces have finally recaptured the city of Fallujah from the Islamic State. The troops reached the city centre last week but the militants had put up a fight in some parts which the military retook yesterday. The forces were supported by airstrikes and intelligence from the US.
The retaking of Fallujah is a huge victory for the government of Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and an unexpected defeat for the militants –- unexpected because many had expected an intense and prolonged battle in a city that had given a tough fight to US forces. According to the army general, at least 1,800 militants had been killed and the rest fled or were captured. Tens of thousands of people had fled from the city and are likely to return once peace prevails. The prime minister is now focusing his attention on Mosul where the IS still rules. “As we promised you, today this flag is flying high in Fallujah and, God willing, it will soon fly in Mosul,” he said. Mosul happens to be the largest city under the jihadists’ control in their fast-shrinking caliphate spanning Iraq and Syria.
By defeating IS in Fallujah, Al Abadi has taken a significant step towards bringing peace and stability to Iraq. The presence of IS in Iraq was not a threat to Iraq alone. The terrorist group is spreading its tentacles in other Arab countries and in Europe and has been responsible for some deadly attacks. Mosul too needs to be liberated from the evil clutches of the group – both to liberate Iraq and to eliminate the terrorist group completely from the face of the earth.
But Abadi will have to do more to establish peace and stability. The remnants of IS and other terrorist groups are likely to remain in the country, waiting for a comeback at the first available opportunity. The government in Baghdad must launch massive rehabilitation programmes for the people in Fallujah whose lives been uprooted. As the mayor of Fallujah said, the city doesn’t just require a rebuilding of its infrastructure, but a serious rehabilitation of society with special focus on youth to wean them away from deviant ideologies.
Secondly, the Abadi government must seriously try to heal the sectarian wounds. Sunnis are complaining of discrimination and a lack of participation in the government, which has been a source of discord and discontent, creating a fertile soil for terrorist groups to grow. Corruption is another issue. People are yet to taste the fruits of freedom and democracy due to corruption which is sucking government funds.
Iraqi forces have finally recaptured the city of Fallujah from the Islamic State. The troops reached the city centre last week but the militants had put up a fight in some parts which the military retook yesterday. The forces were supported by airstrikes and intelligence from the US.
The retaking of Fallujah is a huge victory for the government of Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and an unexpected defeat for the militants –- unexpected because many had expected an intense and prolonged battle in a city that had given a tough fight to US forces. According to the army general, at least 1,800 militants had been killed and the rest fled or were captured. Tens of thousands of people had fled from the city and are likely to return once peace prevails. The prime minister is now focusing his attention on Mosul where the IS still rules. “As we promised you, today this flag is flying high in Fallujah and, God willing, it will soon fly in Mosul,” he said. Mosul happens to be the largest city under the jihadists’ control in their fast-shrinking caliphate spanning Iraq and Syria.
By defeating IS in Fallujah, Al Abadi has taken a significant step towards bringing peace and stability to Iraq. The presence of IS in Iraq was not a threat to Iraq alone. The terrorist group is spreading its tentacles in other Arab countries and in Europe and has been responsible for some deadly attacks. Mosul too needs to be liberated from the evil clutches of the group – both to liberate Iraq and to eliminate the terrorist group completely from the face of the earth.
But Abadi will have to do more to establish peace and stability. The remnants of IS and other terrorist groups are likely to remain in the country, waiting for a comeback at the first available opportunity. The government in Baghdad must launch massive rehabilitation programmes for the people in Fallujah whose lives been uprooted. As the mayor of Fallujah said, the city doesn’t just require a rebuilding of its infrastructure, but a serious rehabilitation of society with special focus on youth to wean them away from deviant ideologies.
Secondly, the Abadi government must seriously try to heal the sectarian wounds. Sunnis are complaining of discrimination and a lack of participation in the government, which has been a source of discord and discontent, creating a fertile soil for terrorist groups to grow. Corruption is another issue. People are yet to taste the fruits of freedom and democracy due to corruption which is sucking government funds.
