Iraq rebrands military campaign against Islamic State over fears of sectarianism


  • World
  • Wednesday, 27 May 2015

Members of the Iraqi army and Shi'ite fighters launch a mortar toward Islamic State militants outskirt the city of Falluja, Iraq May 19, 2015. REUTERS/Stringer

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - A campaign led by Shi'ite paramilitaries to drive Islamic State militants from Iraq's Sunni heartland was rebranded on Wednesday after criticism that the name chosen for the push was overtly sectarian.

The move was a response to fears that Iraq's reliance on Shi'ite paramilitaries to defeat Islamic State fighters, instead of the disordered and demoralised national army, could alienate Sunni Iraqis and deepen the region's sectarian divide.

Win a prize this Mother's Day by subscribing to our annual plan now! T&C applies.

Monthly Plan

RM13.90/month

Annual Plan

RM12.33/month

Billed as RM148.00/year

1 month

Free Trial

For new subscribers only


Cancel anytime. No ads. Auto-renewal. Unlimited access to the web and app. Personalised features. Members rewards.
Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
   

Next In World

Nigerian judge denies separatist leader Kanu bail for the second time
Wikileaks' Julian Assange given permission to appeal against U.S. extradition
Dominican Republic's president-elect Abinader takes tough stand on graft, Haiti
In loving protest, Albanian lesbians marry unofficially
Slovak PM Fico is 'improving' after assassination attempt, says hospital
Half of Americans oppose immigrant detention camps, Reuters/Ipsos poll finds
Iran's Supreme Leader approves Mohammad Mokhber as interim president, declares 5 days' mourning
Indians vote early in fifth phase of polls to avoid blistering heat
TikTok considers letting users upload videos 60 minutes long
Mexican presidential candidates spar over security in final debate

Others Also Read