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| Photo: CNN |
By Nebil Nizar
Middle East brings to our mind, endless deserts, and camels and not to forget- high temperature. Now mercury is soaring in the politics around the region as well. Iraqi city of Ramadi fell into the hands of Da’esh or ISIL. So did the historic Syrian city, Palmyra. Yesterday’s news says that security agencies foiled yet another suicide attack in the eastern province of the largest Middle Eastern country, Saudi Arabia. Without a second thought, we may conclude that self ascribed Islamic State is tightening its grip over the whole Arabian Peninsula.
The Arabian monarchs who recently heaved a sigh of relief after arresting the developments following Arab Spring are again feeling the heat. They face two main issues. First, clinging on to their throne. After the Iraq invasion of 2003, America is seen as the prime villain in the Islamic world. This writer is of the opinion that heads of state of GCC countries refrained from attending Camp David summit not exclusively to deal with American appeasement towards Iran, but also to assert their independence and ‘external sovereignty’ and hoping to hold back millions of their citizens from sympathising with Islamic State militants.
Second and the most important issue, Middle East is soon going to see one of the largest refugee crises in the recent times. Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs at the United Nations, in a recent statement to the Security Council, included a grim list of circumstances faced by civilians in areas controlled by Islamic State, including sexual slavery and the forcible recruitment of children to become militants. His report says that 8.2 million people are seeking UN assistance. Shocking fact is that, almost half of the internally displaced in Iraq are children. Humanitarian situation in the Middle East is catastrophic.
As Da’esh extends its strong hold all over the Gulf, reports are coming in that expatriates population are living in extreme fear. Countries living on foreign remittances cannot afford a mass return of their citizens. The Gulf War of 1991 and the resultant evacuation saw social insecurity and economic deprivation in Third World countries including India. Let alone after evacuation, evacuation itself will be a task as foreign population will be in direct line of fire if ISIS gains ground. A Yemen like evacuation will be a distant dream.
Political stability in the oil rich Middle East is an urgent need for Economic stability, in a globalised economy, along with much discussed International security. Power vacuum led to the creation of Da’esh. Power may be both Political as well as religious. In political arena, breeding grounds of such groups are lawless areas where anarchy is prevalent. Pak-Afghan border stands an example in front of us. Religious front, International community should consider projecting The Grand Mufti of the Holy Mosque of Makkah, a highly respected figure known for his strict views against terrorism, as the religious leader of Muslims all over the world. Cause must be dealt and not the disease alone.
Tailpiece: In the Iraqi war theatre, land forces in most of the areas laid down arms and ran away. The Government gave contract to Shia militia, which the Economistdescribed as Shia mirror image of ISIS, to fight on their behalf. What a strategy! One terror group to deal with another. No comments.
(Originally published at http://www.tehelka.com/2015/05/high-voltage-drama-in-middle-east/)
(Originally published at http://www.tehelka.com/2015/05/high-voltage-drama-in-middle-east/)
