- The ISIS have changed their name for the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) to the Islamic Caliphate and ordered all muslims to pledge their allegiance to their leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, hereby to be known as ‘Caliph Ibrahim’.
- Many Sunni Muslims are opposed to this ideology of a Caliphate.
- Amidst ISIS continuing attacks, many Iraqi villagers have taken refuge in Kirkuk region controlled by the Peshwarga who are also aiming to stop the ethnic cleansing by ISIS that has been attacking the Christians and Shia Shabak Kurds.
- Kirkuk’s Governor has distributed weapons to the villages to for a sahwa (tribal militia).
- Iraqi forces continued the offensive on Saddam Hussein’s hometown of Tikrit which has been overrun by the jihadis, displacing hundreds of thousands. The ethnic divide may deepen if the Iraqi soldiers carry out revenge killings.
- Meanwhile, there is mounting pressure on the Indian govt to ensure the safety on the Indians trapped in Iraq and the govt has put on standby vessels, navy and air force
- Ministry of External Affairs are advising against an immediate evacuation as there is no imminent threat to the Indians working there and have suggested waiting for a clarity of political situation before starting to evacuate.
- Indian mission in Iraq has set up help centres to facilitate the departure of those wishing to leave. Many are expected to return soon.
- Most of the Indians working there are from North India and Rajasthan, and work as construction workers and nurses.
- Read at:http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-international/isis-proclaims-an-islamic-caliphate/article6164882.ece
- http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-international/no-immediate-danger-to-indians/article6165458.ece
- http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-international/peshmerga-seeks-to-stop-ethnic-cleansing-by-isis/article6164907.ece
Exams Perspective:
- Sectarian Violence in Iraq