The simplified missionary-like narratives adopted by the Sunni and Shiite sectarian groups succeed in attracting many youths, especially amid the prevailing radical atmosphere and violent acts that feed collective solidarity. However, it is still possible to say that we have not yet reached a stage of complete integration of the Iraqi and Syrian fronts. Feelings of cross-border sectarian solidarity does not necessarily lead to forging "political and military unity" and overcoming restraining dynamics such as national identity and local relations.
Most of the major political forces on the two sides have not resorted to the use of explicit sectarian language, although there are signs in the statements of some politicians that imply sectarian loyalty. This means that they realize that indulging in sectarian rhetoric can reduce their chances for involvement in the national political sphere. It could be argued that even with the presence of Sunni and Shiite Iraqi militants fighting one another in Syria, the vast majority of radical forces are focused on local objectives. It is perhaps for this reason that Jabhat al-Nusra denied being part of al-Qaeda in Iraq, and preferred to have direct links with the international head of al-Qaeda, Ayman al-Zawahri.
On the other hand, the Iraqi national Shiite group known as the Sadrist movement not only warned of interference in Syrian affairs, but also raised in one of its public celebrations flags of both the Syrian regime and the Syrian opposition to emphasize the group’s neutral position on the conflict.
Easing sectarian polarization is still possible in Iraq if the protests in Sunni areas were recognized as the result of a deep political problem, not just a simulation of the Syrian experience. While extremist forces on both sides are seeking to feed the conflict and give the impression that violence and confrontation are the only way, the largest spectrum of Iraqi society does not want a new civil war, and the major social groupings are not convinced about the usefulness of such a war.
What Iraq needs is a new political deal that would allow the machine of the political system to restart so as to achieve a balance between the need to preserve unity and internal peace, and the inclination toward autonomy and greater independence in Sunni areas in particular.
Harith al-Qarawee is an Iraqi scholar and author of Imagining the Nation: Nationalism, Sectarianism, and Socio-Political Conflict in Iraq. On Twitter: @harith_hasan.
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