As Iraq's political and
humanitarian crises escalate at the same time, foreign countries are
getting more deeply involved. Here's where things stand.
Tension in Baghdad
Iraqi forces and tanks
surged into some Baghdad neighborhoods Sunday as a wave of troops
swarmed Baghdad's Green Zone -- the secure area where many government
buildings, the military headquarters and the U.S. Embassy are located,
two Iraqi police officials said.
Exactly what led to the
surge remains unclear. But some believe the beefed up military presence
is part of a power struggle between second-term Prime Minister Nuri
al-Maliki and newly elected President Fuad Masum.
"You've got Nuri
al-Maliki refusing to step down. Now he's mobilized not just security
troops loyal to him, but now he's mobilized army units to put tanks in
the streets,"said retired Lt. Col. Rick Francona, a CNN military
analyst.
"Some of the bridges have
been closed. It looks like he's trying to lock down the city in some
sort of confrontation with the President, so this does not portend
well."
Choosing a prime minister
is a key next step for Iraq's leaders. Critics of al-Maliki have called
for him to pull his name out of the running, but he's repeatedly refused.
Al-Maliki has accused
Masum of violating the country's constitution by extending the deadline
for Iraq's biggest political coalitions to nominate a candidate for
prime minister.
But there could be
another reason for more troops in the capital. Retired U.S. Marine Gen.
James Williams said the stepped up security could be a response to
advances by militants from ISIS, the Sunni Muslim extremist group that
has now declared itself the Islamic State.
"It could be a show of
force. If you're talking about protecting government buildings, there
may be a sense that ISIS forces may be closer than everybody thinks at
this point," Williams said.
"That could be a great sign for concern. But it may also be a concern that there's a coup afoot."
Source: CNN
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