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.”
Rock in a Hard Place: Music and Mayhem in the Middle East
Orlando Crowcroft
Zed Books
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
MATCH INFO
Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium (Malacca, Malayisa)
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD
* Second leg in Australia scheduled for October 10
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
The specs: 2018 Volkswagen Teramont
Price, base / as tested Dh137,000 / Dh189,950
Engine 3.6-litre V6
Gearbox Eight-speed automatic
Power 280hp @ 6,200rpm
Torque 360Nm @ 2,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 11.7L / 100km
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The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
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Draw
Quarter-finals
Real Madrid (ESP) or Manchester City (ENG) v Juventus (ITA) or Lyon (FRA)
RB Leipzig (GER) v Atletico Madrid (ESP)
Barcelona (ESP) or Napoli (ITA) v Bayern Munich (GER) or Chelsea (ENG)
Atalanta (ITA) v Paris Saint-Germain (FRA)
Ties to be played August 12-15 in Lisbon
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs: 2018 Infiniti QX80
Price: base / as tested: Dh335,000
Engine: 5.6-litre V8
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 400hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 560Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.1L / 100km
'How To Build A Boat'
Jonathan Gornall, Simon & Schuster
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, last 16, first leg
Tottenham Hotspur v Borussia Dortmund, midnight (Thursday), BeIN Sports
If you go
The flights
Etihad (etihad.com) flies from Abu Dhabi to Luang Prabang via Bangkok, with a return flight from Chiang Rai via Bangkok for about Dh3,000, including taxes. Emirates and Thai Airways cover the same route, also via Bangkok in both directions, from about Dh2,700.
The cruise
The Gypsy by Mekong Kingdoms has two cruising options: a three-night, four-day trip upstream cruise or a two-night, three-day downstream journey, from US$5,940 (Dh21,814), including meals, selected drinks, excursions and transfers.
The hotels
Accommodation is available in Luang Prabang at the Avani, from $290 (Dh1,065) per night, and at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort from $1,080 (Dh3,967) per night, including meals, an activity and transfers.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Country-size land deals
US interest in purchasing territory is not as outlandish as it sounds. Here's a look at some big land transactions between nations:
Louisiana Purchase
If Donald Trump is one who aims to broker "a deal of the century", then this was the "deal of the 19th Century". In 1803, the US nearly doubled in size when it bought 2,140,000 square kilometres from France for $15 million.
Florida Purchase Treaty
The US courted Spain for Florida for years. Spain eventually realised its burden in holding on to the territory and in 1819 effectively ceded it to America in a wider border treaty.
Alaska purchase
America's spending spree continued in 1867 when it acquired 1,518,800 km2 of Alaskan land from Russia for $7.2m. Critics panned the government for buying "useless land".
The Philippines
At the end of the Spanish-American War, a provision in the 1898 Treaty of Paris saw Spain surrender the Philippines for a payment of $20 million.
US Virgin Islands
It's not like a US president has never reached a deal with Denmark before. In 1917 the US purchased the Danish West Indies for $25m and renamed them the US Virgin Islands.
Gwadar
The most recent sovereign land purchase was in 1958 when Pakistan bought the southwestern port of Gwadar from Oman for 5.5bn Pakistan rupees.
WTL%20SCHEDULE
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COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Company profile
Company name: Suraasa
Started: 2018
Founders: Rishabh Khanna, Ankit Khanna and Sahil Makker
Based: India, UAE and the UK
Industry: EdTech
Initial investment: More than $200,000 in seed funding
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Palestine and Israel - live updates
Match info
Athletic Bilbao 0
Real Madrid 1 (Ramos 73' pen)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
War
Director: Siddharth Anand
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff, Ashutosh Rana, Vaani Kapoor
Rating: Two out of five stars
Most F1 world titles
7 — Michael Schumacher (1994, ’95, 2000, ’01 ’02, ’03, ’04)
7 — Lewis Hamilton (2008, ’14,’15, ’17, ’18, ’19, ’20)
5 — Juan Manuel Fangio (1951, ’54, ’55, ’56, ’57)
4 — Alain Prost (1985, ’86, ’89, ’93)
4 — Sebastian Vettel (2010, ’11, ’12, ’13)
