Iraq has launched its largest security operation to date to
free not only Tikrit but central Salahaddin province as well. Much has been
made of the presence of militias and popular mobilization brigades that might
be as much as two-thirds of the total force. Iran and Lebanese Hezbollah are
playing a big role as well providing not only advisers but air cover and
artillery as well. With the United States opting out of participating in this
offensive due to Iran’s large presence, it could be a turning point where
Tehran solidifies its place as Baghdad’s main ally in the war against the
Islamic State (IS).
Iran is playing a large frontline role in the on going
operation in Salahaddin. Reports
are that around 1,000 members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have
been deployed there. They are not only acting
as advisers, but operating artillery, rocket launchers, and flying drones.
Iranian air power is also present with Su-25s flying bombing missions. 150
members of Lebanese Hezbollah are said to be present as well. Finally IRGC-Quds
Force commander General Qasim Suleimani is overseeing planning too. Iranian and
Hezbollah operatives have been present in previous security sweeps, but not as
prominent and public as this one. In November
2014 for example, Iranian jets were filmed carrying out missions in eastern
Diyala. Iranian politicians said that they considered the area a buffer zone,
because it was so close to their border. That cannot be said for the current
offensive, which is taking place in the middle of Iraq.
Who is notably absent from this operation is the U.S. led Coalition
due to Iran’s presence. As several news reports have pointed out there is a
rough division of labor between Tehran and Washington in Iraq. Where militias
are heavily present Iran usually takes the lead and when the Iraqi Security
Forces or peshmerga is prominent the U.S. plays a larger role. Many Pro-Iranian
groups have said they do
not want American support and they and Tehran are actively trying to
undermine the U.S. position in the country by spreading rumors that it is supporting
the Islamic State. Also given the recent history between the two countries
in Iraq with the IRGC-QF leading attacks upon American forces and creating
groups such as Kataib Hezbollah specifically to carry out those types of
operations during the U.S. occupation there is no real incentive for them to
cooperate except informally.
The Tikrit operation could play a large role in which
foreign power will have a dominant role in Iraq in the future. Iran stepped in
almost immediately after the fall of Mosul in the summer of 2014 committing
advisers, brought in its Hezbollah allies, and provided weapons, training, and
air support. The U.S. on the other hand, held out until Prime Minister Nouri
al-Maliki was removed from office before it joined, which is still a sore point
for many Iraqis. Also given the fact that the stories of America manipulating
the war and the Islamic State for its own purposes is popular amongst a range
of Iraqis, not just those connected to Iran makes its absence from the current
offensive in Salahaddin a threat to Washington’s position in the country. If
the Tikrit offensive is successful and the U.S. never becomes involved it will
undermine its position publicly and politically in an environment where its
messaging about its contribution to the war is already being outplayed by Iran.
SOUCES
Barnard, Anne, “Iraq’s Drive Against ISIS Reveals Tensions
With U.S.,” New York Times, 3/3/15
Erem News, “Iraq ... evidence of American involvement in
supporting Daash,” 3/6/15
El-Ghobashy, Tamer and Barnes, Julian, “Iran Backs Iraq
Military Campaign to Reclaim Tikrit From Islamic State,” Wall Street Journal,
3/2/15
Kenner, David, “For God and Country, and Iran, Shiite
militias with American blood on their hands are leading the charge to drive the
Islamic State out of Tikrit. But are they doing more harm than good?” Foreign
Policy, 3/5/15
Khilkhal, Shukur, “Islamic State conspiracy theories sway
Iraqis,” Al Monitor, 2/27/15
Al Mustaqbal, “Washington recognizes the role of Tehran and
warns of sectarian strife,” 3/4/15
Sputnik News, “US, Israeli Military Advisors Accused of
Aiding ISIL Arrested in Iraq,” 3/7/15
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