Spanish newspaper: Has ISIS really returned to Iraq?

Spanish writer Henar Hernandez says that Iraq has become fertile ground for ISIS operatives, given the absence of clear leadership in the country, and because of the escalation of tension between Iran and the United States, noting that ISIS recently claimed responsibility for some of the attacks in Iraq.

She adds - in an article published by the newspaper "Atelier" that January 3 represented a major turning point in the global geostrategic scenario. The assassination of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani undermined analysts' plans and an unprecedented tension between the United States and Iran.

Iraq has become a barrel of gunpowder - according to the author - that can explode at any moment, and fertile ground for the proliferation of militant groups that seek to re-impose themselves by force again, and to restore their activity, taking advantage of the unstable situation and power vacuum, especially as President Barham Saleh waved the resignation And that Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi resigned under the pressure of the protesters.

The writer adds that the ideal example in this case is embodied by the Islamic State that was defeated in Iraq at the end of 2017, but that on the 26th of last November the first signs of his return emerged, by killing at least six people in three almost simultaneous explosions in separate areas of Majority of Shiites in the capital, Baghdad.

Alliance and Operations
The author states that ISIS claimed responsibility for these attacks, which reflects the readiness of this group to take advantage of this turbulent and chaotic scenario to serve its interests, adding that these attacks were the first of their kind in Baghdad that ISIS recognized after its defeat two years ago.

On December 2, 2019 - as the article says - ISIS carried out another attack in the eastern Diyala governorate, killing two people and wounding five others, all members of the pro-Iranian Iraqi Hashd militias, which have fought the organization since its founding in 2014.

The article also says that it now appears that the consequences of the killing of Soleimani and Deputy Leader of the Popular Mobilization, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, will contribute to preparing the way for the return of the Islamic State.

Two days after the air attack that targeted them and killed them, the international coalition led by Washington announced the suspension of its operations in Iraq in a statement explaining that protecting Iraqi bases in the face of possible Iranian attacks or militias close to them became a priority, which limited the coalition's ability to support military operations against State regulation.

NATO position
NATO has adopted a similar position to the US-led coalition, with Dilan White, the acting spokesman for the alliance, announcing a moratorium on training Iraqi forces to ensure the safety of their civilian or military personnel. Moreover, European countries such as Germany, Slovakia, France and Spain decided to withdraw their forces from Iraq and transfer them to neighboring countries such as Jordan and Kuwait as a result of the increased tension in the region.

The writer indicated that the United States is exceptional, especially after the dispute that has arisen in recent days regarding the withdrawal of its forces from Iraq, a decision approved by the Iraqi parliament.

And she adds: Despite the leaking of a letter signed by William Sealy III, the Dean of the Marine Corps, confirming that the departure of his country's forces is "respecting the sovereign decision" of Iraq, Defense Minister Mark Esber stated that no decision has been taken regarding leaving Iraq.

According to the Spanish writer, if the American withdrawal is confirmed, it means the departure of about 5,200 soldiers who have devoted themselves over the past years to training their Iraqi counterparts, or fighting against the Islamic State.

It also says that information published by the BBC on December 23 revealed that "there is growing evidence that the Islamic State is regrouping in Iraq, two years after it lost its last strongholds."

The Spanish newspaper article concludes by noting that although ISIS no longer has territories in Iraq and Syria, it appears that the battle is not over.