CNN :
A crisis so dire that families are fleeing to Syria. A militant threat so strong that US forces are striking from the sky. And political strife so tense that it could derail hopes for government stability.
As Iraq’s political and humanitarian crises escalate at the same time, foreign countries are getting more deeply involved. Here’s where things stand:
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 US 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 US 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.”
The threat of ISIS has been so strong that the US military carried out a new wave of airstrikes Sunday against militant targets in Iraq.
American aircraft struck five targets within five hours Sunday, including armed vehicles and a mortar position, US Central Command said.
Iraqi officials said US airstrikes Saturday killed 16 ISIS fighters, and an Iraqi airstrike in Sinjar killed an additional 45 ISIS fighters, Iraq state media reported.
