American forces must remain in Iraq otherwise the country will “unravel” with ISIS terrorists turning it into another Afghanistan, a leading general has told The National.
If US and Nato troops withdraw it could lead to a far greater, costlier and more difficult reintervention later, said Major General Sirwan Barzani of the Peshmerga military.
The extremists, whose force in Iraq totals an estimated 7,000 fighters, are biding their time waiting for the western force to dwindle in size, the officer said.
Despite the pressure of the war in Ukraine, current US force levels have remained at 2,000 troops stationed in Al Asad Airbase, western Iraq, Camp Victory in Baghdad and near Erbil in the north.
There is also a sizeable number of 4,000 Nato troops training the Iraqi military but there could be a requirement for their use elsewhere, particularly if ISIS continues its resurgence in Africa or in Europe to face the Russia threat.
Patient ISIS
Without continued US and Nato support “all we have achieved is in danger of unravelling”, warned Gen Barzani.
“They might have lost their territory and ability to attack the West, but they haven’t lost their murderous desires. ISIS are patient. They think the West is distracted and the United States is disengaging from the Middle East.”
The general is regarded as one of the foremost Peshmerga leaders having fought for a decade against Saddam Hussein’s forces, earning the nickname of “Black Tiger”.
He retired from the army in 2000 but returned in 2014 during the major ISIS offensive and personally led 150 men to defend Erbil, driving the terrorists back, assisted by US-led air strikes
But he now fears that ISIS could return in force. Speaking from northern Iraq, the Peshmerga leader for Erbil, said the extremists were “using their time out of the spotlight to rebuild and regroup”, including replenishing their armoury.
Safe haven
There are concerns in Iraq that America could withdraw its troops as it did in Afghanistan in 2021 with an extremist terror grouping taking control.
The general believed that US withdrawal had emboldened ISIS, making them “even more confident that they can regroup” in Iraq and Syria.
“If the US vacates the field of battle in Iraq, ISIS will seize the opportunity, which risks Iraq becoming another Afghanistan,” the general said.
“Another safe haven for them to grow and threaten not just us Kurds, but the world.”
During previous ISIS offensives, US combat aircraft and special forces have helped defeat the extremists and still remained “critical to the security of Iraq”.
In an interview with the Wall Street Journal last week, Iraq’s new Prime Minister Mohammed Al Sudani said western military should remain indefinitely as “we need foreign troops” because the “elimination of ISIS needs some more time”.
Gen Barzani agreed to what the Prime Minister said and stated that western support was “critical to the security” of Iraq.
“ISIS are fanatics who will never give up until every fighter is defeated and they will seize any opportunity to re-establish a foothold from which they can continue their campaign of terror,” he added.
Stay engaged
While the western world is focused on the war in Ukraine, and to a lesser extent the belligerence of China, focus on ISIS has diminished.
But the international terror group appears to be reinforcing in large parts of western, central and southern Africa, including Mozambique, building its strength.
“ISIS are using their hideouts and bases to plan and launch terror attacks against the US’ allies,” said Gen Barzani.
While the terrorists remain a “lower threat now” it was far better to deal with them today rather than “the need for a bigger intervention in the future".
“We need the US and Western forces to stay engaged. The job isn’t over,” he added.
This meant a “viable US fighting force” on the ground in Iraq to continue operations to find and destroy ISIS fighters.
The Peshmerga also needed supplies of armoured vehicles and weapons, he said.
Prison ideology
He called on the West to address the long-running sore of foreign nationals who are among the 10,000 ISIS held in prisons guarded by the Peshmerga.
“Western nations have a responsibility to deal with them,” he said.
“Putting into their prison systems instead of dumping them here, where they only strengthen the resolve of the ISIS insurgency.”
Gen Barzani, 52, insisted that despite conflicts elsewhere, western powers had to remain focused on the Middle East terror threat.
“ISIS ideology still infects the minds of many and remains a violent and a dangerous threat to people across the Western world,” he said.
“As long as there are ISIS fighters still operational and at large, they will continue to pose a threat, and they will continue to inspire more dangerous followers in the West.”
'The Batman'
Stars:Robert Pattinson
Director:Matt Reeves
Rating: 5/5
IPL 2018 FINAL
Sunrisers Hyderabad 178-6 (20 ovs)
Chennai Super Kings 181-2 (18.3 ovs)
Chennai win by eight wickets
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EProcessor%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Apple%20M3%2C%208-core%20CPU%2C%20up%20to%2010-core%20CPU%2C%2016-core%20Neural%20Engine%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDisplay%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2013.6-inch%20Liquid%20Retina%2C%202560%20x%201664%2C%20224ppi%2C%20500%20nits%2C%20True%20Tone%2C%20wide%20colour%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMemory%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%208%2F16%2F24GB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStorage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20256%2F512GB%20%2F%201%2F2TB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EI%2FO%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Thunderbolt%203%2FUSB-4%20(2)%2C%203.5mm%20audio%2C%20Touch%20ID%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EConnectivity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Wi-Fi%206E%2C%20Bluetooth%205.3%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2052.6Wh%20lithium-polymer%2C%20up%20to%2018%20hours%2C%20MagSafe%20charging%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECamera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201080p%20FaceTime%20HD%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EVideo%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Support%20for%20Apple%20ProRes%2C%20HDR%20with%20Dolby%20Vision%2C%20HDR10%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAudio%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204-speaker%20system%2C%20wide%20stereo%2C%20support%20for%20Dolby%20Atmos%2C%20Spatial%20Audio%20and%20dynamic%20head%20tracking%20(with%20AirPods)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EColours%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Midnight%2C%20silver%2C%20space%20grey%2C%20starlight%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIn%20the%20box%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20MacBook%20Air%2C%2030W%2F35W%20dual-port%2F70w%20power%20adapter%2C%20USB-C-to-MagSafe%20cable%2C%202%20Apple%20stickers%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh4%2C599%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
Company profile
Name: Thndr
Started: October 2020
Founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: pre-seed of $800,000
Funding stage: series A; $20 million
Investors: Tiger Global, Beco Capital, Prosus Ventures, Y Combinator, Global Ventures, Abdul Latif Jameel, Endure Capital, 4DX Ventures, Plus VC, Rabacap and MSA Capital
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
SERIE A FIXTURES
Friday Sassuolo v Torino (Kick-off 10.45pm UAE)
Saturday Atalanta v Sampdoria (5pm),
Genoa v Inter Milan (8pm),
Lazio v Bologna (10.45pm)
Sunday Cagliari v Crotone (3.30pm)
Benevento v Napoli (6pm)
Parma v Spezia (6pm)
Fiorentina v Udinese (9pm)
Juventus v Hellas Verona (11.45pm)
Monday AC Milan v AS Roma (11.45pm)
UAE Tour 2020
Stage 1: The Pointe Palm Jumeirah - Dubai Silicon Oasis, 148km
Stage 2: Hatta - Hatta Dam, 168km
Stage 3: Al Qudra Cycle Track - Jebel Hafeet, 184km
Stage 4: Zabeel Park - Dubai City Walk, 173km
Stage 5: Al Ain - Jebel Hafeet, 162km
Stage 6: Al Ruwais - Al Mirfa, 158km
Stage 7: Al Maryah Island - Abu Dhabi Breakwater, 127km
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%206.5-litre%20V12%20and%20three%20electric%20motors%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E1%2C015hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E1%2C500Nm%20(estimate)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Eight-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Early%202024%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh2%20million%20(estimate)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Anghami
Started: December 2011
Co-founders: Elie Habib, Eddy Maroun
Based: Beirut and Dubai
Sector: Entertainment
Size: 85 employees
Stage: Series C
Investors: MEVP, du, Mobily, MBC, Samena Capital
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants
Naga
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3EMeshal%20Al%20Jaser%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3EAdwa%20Bader%2C%20Yazeed%20Almajyul%2C%20Khalid%20Bin%20Shaddad%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
From Conquest to Deportation
Jeronim Perovic, Hurst
More on Quran memorisation:
Jumanji: The Next Level
Director: Jake Kasdan
Stars: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, Jack Black, Nick Jonas
Two out of five stars
Lampedusa: Gateway to Europe
Pietro Bartolo and Lidia Tilotta
Quercus