Some Regional Countries Role Reinforcing Terrorist Groups

Tehran, June 16, IRNA -- Extremism and violence prevail in many parts of Iraq and Syria today. Fighting the extremists and terrorists, who have occupied parts of Iraq and Syria, although inevitable and necessary, is in fact fighting the effect not the root-cause, according to Iran Dailyˈs Monday edition. Over the past few years, some regional countries have played a fundamental role in supporting and reinforcing terrorist groups in Syria and Iraq. These countries’ policies, are – if not fully, but to a great extent – responsible for the present situation in the said two countries because of the support they extended to terrorist groups like Al-Nusra Front and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). Some regional countries’ recent threats against the ISIL may be ˈa cosmetic exerciseˈ and a cover-up for their support for this and other armed groups. The same countries helped terrorist groups gain power in Iraq and Syria by offering logistic support, petrodollars and munitions. All measures to destabilize Iraq in the aftermath of the ouster of former dictator Saddam Hussein were backed by some Arab and other regional countries and aimed at undermining the government there. These countries played a key role in creating insecurity in Iraq by establishing links between Baˈathists and the ISIL. They are after the disintegration of Iraq since they donˈt want an stable Iraq. Iraqˈs territorial integrity is not a redline for these countries and even the emergence of a separatist government in the northern city Mosul could be desirable for some of these countries. They are the most ardent supporter of a weak government in this oil-rich strategic region (northern Iraq). However, under the circumstance, military action by NATO in Iraq is not ruled out if the crisis in Iraq intensifies and poses a threat to Turkey which is a North Atlantic Treaty Organization member. This even could lead to NATO intervention. Unfortunately these have countries stood by terrorist groups in order to change the power equation against elected governments in Iraq and Syria. Terrorism and extremism will not be eradicated in the region unless the said countries change their policies. They are the root-cause, while ISIL and Al-Nusra Front are the effects of such policies./end