Iraq's Will Power Problem

"Churchill said back at the beginning of the 20th century, you can destroy an army very quickly, and effectively; we did that when we disbanded the Iraqi military back in 2003. It can take a generation to build a strong, capable military that is going to win this sort of campaign."
"[Sending more international troops to help Iraq fight jihadists would not solve its] will power [problem]."
Retired Maj.-Gen. Tim Cross, senior British officer in 2003 Iraq invasion

"It makes my heart bleed because we lost Ramadi, but I can assure you we can bring it back soon. In days."
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi 

"Today, there is nobody in confrontation with (ISIL) except the Islamic Republic of Iran, as well as nations who are next to Iran or supported by Iran."
"[The United States did not do] a damn thing [to stop ISIL from its seizure of Ramadi]."
Gen. Qassem Soleimani, head, al-Quds unit, Iranian Revolutionary Guard

Oops! Isn't this the same General Soleimani who was prepared, with his Iranian special forces regiment to wipe up-and-out the Islamic State? This resolutely fierce soldier whose battle acumen, experience and strategic capabilities would make quick work of the Islamist fanatics? Who better to counter Islamist fanatics than other Islamist fanatics?

Why should a country whose troops travel halfway across the world to arrive in Iraq sacrifice its military men, when Iraq has neighbours dedicated to its defence, after all? The Islamic Republic of Iran knows well the fierceness of battle; it sent tens of thousands of its youth into mined battlefields to clear the way for its seasoned fighters during its years of warfare with Iraq under a previous, Sunni-led government that detested the Shiites governing the Republic.

Now the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant is presenting an adversarial war with no holds barred; willing suicide bombers in contrast to Iran's former suicidal volunteers whom the ayatollahs convinced it was their duty to die for Islam. The Sunni jihadists are simply carrying it a step further, and in the process demonstrating that they have no need to send children to die; they're willing themselves to martyrdom for their cause.

So they've unleashed another wave of suicide attacks: target, the army of Iraq present in western Anbar province. The boast by Iraq's prime minister that all it would take would be days before his troops could oust the Islamic State interlopers hasn't yet seen the day arrive. The wide-scale operation to recapture ISIL-controlled areas in Anbar is being challenged.

Brig.Gen. Saad Maan Ibrahim, speaking for the Joint Military Command described attacks taking place outside Fallujah last night when the jihadis struck army forces deployed for the Anbar offensive. Call them what one will, the jihadis plan carefully and brilliantly, taking advantage of a sandstorm to launch their deadly wave of suicide bombings that hit the military from multiple directions.

Backed by Shiite militias and supposedly Sunni pro-government forces, the Iraqi operation to retake Anbar is a crucial step in creating momentum to counter Islamic State. A jihadist group which, irrespective of months of U.S.-led coalition airstrikes against their positions, was still able to advance to launch battles in both Syria and Iraq; in the process taking two critical towns, Ramadi and Palmyra.

Moreover, according to Syrian activists ISIL remains busy cementing its reputation for ruthlessly vicious atrocities. They accused fifteen men of fighting with President Assad's troops, brought them to the Roman theatre in Palmyra, gathered people to watch the proceedings and shot them to death. Syria's foreign minister, Walid al-Moallem is also critical of the U.S.-led coalition.



Pointing out its commitment in preventing the Kurdish town of Kobani from falling to ISIL last year, but bemoaning the support that "evaporated" after that signal event. "We're not pinning any hopes on that alliance, and anyone who does is living an illusion", he commented. Iraq and Syria, he pointed out, were fighting the same battle, but security coordination has not been entirely reached satisfactorily.

Certainly they're fighting the same battle; the Sunni jihadists are challenging the Shiite governments in both countries. Which brought the situation on themselves by oppressing and victimizing their own Sunni populations, leading them to join ranks with the jihadists, seeking recourse to Islamic-style justice.