Mosul offensive is do or die for Iraq

The northern and western parts of Iraq have been plagued by violence ever since Daesh move in June 2014.

Iraq's offensive against Daesh has entered a crucial phase as the army launched an operation to liberate Mosul on Saturday. This is being seen as one of the biggest strides in exterminating the dreaded militia. Washington supports Baghdad in its endeavour to push back Daesh, and also to reclaim as much territory as possible. The extremist group had moved into northern Iraq from Syria and seized the strategic city of Mosul. The northern and western parts of Iraq have been plagued by violence ever since Daesh move in June 2014. Iraq's new offensive has come close on the heels of successes in Fallujah, Tikrit and Baiji in Salahuddin province, as well as the retake of Ramadi.
The offensive started by cutting the main artery connecting Mosul to the Syrian city of Raqqah. This means literally pushing back Daesh back inside Syria, and retaking the entire northern sector bordering Turkey, which is Kurd-populated. At this point of time, Iraqi security forces are assisted by US air force sorties, but it is little known whether Baghdad will be able to mop the area effectively on its own or not. The security forces had collapsed like a house of cards twice before Daesh, which prompted Baghdad to seek Iranian assistance to stay afloat. Iraq needs to carefully choreograph its defence and domestic policies. Baghdad should desist from relying on Iranian volunteers and regulars, especially as it moves in the north to retake the lost territories, as it might ignite sectarian revulsion.