The sectarian conflict in Iraq has been developing in different directions, thus making it hard for those who do not want to be part of the battle to remain impartial. The recent Anbar operations have sparked sectarian enmity in a different and more intense way among Iraqis, and a complicated web of accumulated rancor between Iraqi sects, regions and tribes is emerging in the country. This situation is unprecedented in the history of Iraq. Various retaliatory feelings have blended with sectarian tensions between Sunnis and Shiites.
Followers of Iraqi affairs have quickly seen the worsening rift between Iraqis. The geographic, tribal and sectarian borders have become crystal clear. Geographically, many inhabitants of the southern part of Iraq have been using the term “westerners” (referring to those who live in the western part of the country) to refer to Sunnis cooperating with terrorism. Similarly, the word “southerners” is being used to talk about Shiites cooperating with Iraq’s archenemy, Iran. The kinship bonds of tribes composed of both Sunnis and Shiites have been broken, while other tribes that have an absolute Sunni or Shiite majority have isolated themselves. Sects are still playing a major role in the conflicts between parties.
A group of people that is not affiliated with these divisions stands out in the middle of this heated conflict and faces pressure and marginalization. The sounds of rifles, cannons and aggressive declarations are drowning out its voice. Some people in this non-affiliated group have completely disappeared, while others are besieged and threatened not only by their own social environment but by other social environments as well.
Iraq has turned into a battlefield, where conflict between major sectarian affiliations, specifically three main entities — Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds — has emerged. The rest have stayed out of the game. There are various groups of religious and racial minorities that do not consider themselves part of the mentioned triangle, but they can only find a way to be represented through one of the three sects. The Christians have united with the Kurds because they found a safer environment in Kurdistan. Yet, many of them, just like other minorities, are still searching for a haven abroad that represents, for them and for Iraq, immigration without return.
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