Iraq's parliament has taken a controversial step, recognizing private militias as an official part of Iraq's government and armed forces. The predominantly Shia and Iranian-backed militias joined the fight against the Islamic State shortly after the fall of Mosul to the jihadist group in 2014 as Iraq's formal military melted away and lost ground. The militias, however, have proven controversial among Iraq's Sunni minority for what human rights groups say is a campaign of sectarian killings, abuse, and human rights violations. Sunni members of parliament boycotted the vote to pass the law and called it a threat to an inclusive, unified Iraq.
Frustrated at the slow pace of fighting against an Islamic State enemy that's tenacious and dug into Mosul's urban landscape, some Iraqi military officials now want to change tacticsto allow for looser rules of engagement, according to the Wall Street Journal. The plan for the liberation of Mosul was premised on urging civilians to shelter in place within the city rather than green lighting an exodus from the city which could cause logistical problems. But the jihadist group has exploited the presence of civilians in the city to constrain the use of artillery and airstrikes, leading some to question whether a call to flee the city is warranted.
Iraq's parliament has taken a controversial step, recognizing private militias as an official part of Iraq's government and armed forces. The predominantly Shia and Iranian-backed militias joined the fight against the Islamic State shortly after the fall of Mosul to the jihadist group in 2014 as Iraq's formal military melted away and lost ground. The militias, however, have proven controversial among Iraq's Sunni minority for what human rights groups say is a campaign of sectarian killings, abuse, and human rights violations. Sunni members of parliament boycotted the vote to pass the law and called it a threat to an inclusive, unified Iraq.
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