Over the weekend, it appears that Syria, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Kuwait may be increasing pressure on Iraq to rein in the Iranian-backed militias in Iraq. This is important because the militias have attempted to hijack the country and use it as a springboard for attacks on Iraq’s neighbors. Over the last week of July, the militias attacked Saudi Arabia, threatened Syria, and likely also attacked the Kingdom of Jordan.
The larger story is that Iraq is at a crossroads. The country borders Iran, and it has a large Shi’ite population that is connected to Iran in some ways. For instance, this week is the Arbaeen Shi’ite pilgrimage. Large numbers of people are coming from Iran to Iraq. Arab News noted that “It is one of the world’s largest religious gatherings, with millions flocking each year to Iraq to visit the city of Karbala, where Hussein and his brother Abbas are buried.” The report notes “this year’s pilgrimage comes amid a war launched by a US-Israeli attack on Iran on February 28, which has not left Iraq unscathed. The war erupted only weeks after Iranian authorities cracked down on widespread anti-government protests triggered by the high cost of living in a country enduring harsh US economic sanctions.”
