Iraqi Security Threatened

03 January 2014 | 18:32 Code : 1926870 Review General category
An exclusive essay by Dr. Ibrahim Bahr al-Olloum, a former Iraqi Oil Minister
Iraqi Security Threatened

Iraq is faced with continuously repeated political crises, but we have no other choice but to remain committed to words of logic, wisdom, prudence and dialogue and, with their help, save our country from these regretful and sad challenges.

The al-Anbar crisis has not been created recently and it is not a crisis of yesterday or today. What we see is a crisis which includes everybody and the people of al-Anbar and the sheikhs of the nomads and the religious, social and political leaders are involved more than the others, thus, their responsibilities are heavier than the rest. We can say that they are closely involved with the al-Anbar crisis and feel the problems first hand and their impacts on the daily lives and futures of themselves and their children. Therefore, they must know that any path they choose must be a path which would guarantee the national unity of Iraq and would not allow radicalism and the disintegration of the country, hence, would not create a new excuse for the enemies of the Iraqi people. More importantly, this path should not provide new challenges and crises for the use of the terrorists. Therefore, the responsibility of the people of al-Anbar and its sheikhs and leaders is very heavy for it is related with the unity and territorial integrity of the country.

On the other hand, we expect the government and armed forces of our country to not allow these conflicts, which are in fact the war against terrorism and al-Qaeda, to be distanced from the national objectives and the resolution of issues which need more prudence and wisdom. Fighting against terrorism, in any form and nature, is an obligatory national issue and any wise nationalist must support it. We, as Iraqi politicians, also have the responsibility to support this national movement to protect the security of the country and destroy the safe havens of the terrorists who have created serious security and political challenges and numerous troubles for the country. But this issue must not distance us from other severe problems of our country; issues which need wisdom and prudence and are heavy burdens for the statesmen and military forces of Iraq. Our national duty is to continue our efforts at the level of national responsibilities. We should take positions which would guarantee the unity and security of our country and take measures to resolve the present crises in the country with the spirit of nationalism. Of course, we must also have the utmost flexibility to maintain the foundation of our country and at the same time stand firmly against terrorism and its manifestations.

The fact that the people of Iraq and al-Anbar and the politicians of this province stand behind the armed forces and the Iraqi army against terrorism could strengthen the spirit of nationalism and raise the hopes of the people in their fight against terrorism and the disruptors of our country’s security. Therefore, before anyone else, we the politicians have the duty to refrain from taking unwise positions which are against the nationalistic and humanitarian spirit and make all efforts to support the armed forces in enforcing their national responsibility while ignoring our political differences so that the country could be saved from the security and political threats which might lead to the destruction of all of us.

tags: al-anbar iraq