Is New National Guard the Key to Unifying Iraq?

There are, of course, reservations about the National Guard concept. Chief among them are those expressed by Shiite factions mobilized under the Popular Mobilization forces. One perception is that the National Guard is an American idea and is aimed at dividing Iraq. Those holding this opinion see the concept as another Awakening project. Some Kurds have expressed opposition to the peshmerga’s involvement, asserting that the force's sole duty is to defend the Kurdistan region. Sunnis appear to be the most enthusiastic about the formation of the new outfit, viewing its creati​on as part of an obligation the government has committed itself to and from which it cannot backtrack.

Abadi media spokesman Rafed Jabouri told Al-Monitor that Abadi has committed his government to the National Guard law, saying, “Many statements have been made because it is an open Iraqi issue, but these statements do not necessarily reflect the views of the political blocs. The National Guard is a commitment presented in the government formation charter, which was approved by the parliament. The draft law was put forward a few days ago at the National Security Ministerial Council, which is a mini-government. It was discussed and amended, and it will soon be submitted to the Council of Ministers.”

Jabouri also stated, “[Abadi] handed copies of the draft to the political blocs, and the reactions have been positive.” He said that the concerns about the law are “based on its content, not on the number of members that will join this force, and some parties have conceptions that do not even exist in the copy of the law under discussion.”

Based on the behind-the-scenes political discussions taking place in Iraq, the National Guard project appears to have gone beyond politics and turned into part of the long-sought solution for Iraq. The new mechanism consists of two main targets. First, IS' control of Iraqi territory requires the mobilization of residents in Sunni areas within the scope of an official force capable of liberating and controlling the area and imposing security. Second, to avoid repeating the scenarios that led to the fall of the Sunni areas to IS, long-term solutions are required to provide Sunnis greater freedom in the management and protection of their cities in the long term.