NAJAF, Iraq — After it took control of Mosul on June 10, the Islamic State (IS) announced that its ultimate goal in Iraq is to control Baghdad, as the capital holds a great symbolic importance to it and its seizure would likely enhance the stability and recognition of its state by other Arab countries. IS knows how difficult this takeover will be.

IS has made previous attempts to get closer to Baghdad from the north, after seizing Tikrit, which is located nearly 160 kilometers (100 miles) away. Yet, it failed after the Shiite areas were mobilized against IS’ progress toward Baghdad. The group continued to carry out suicide bombings in Baghdad to inflame the Sunni-Shiite sectarian conflict upon which the group has always strategically depended.

Since Oct. 13, IS has moved on Baghdad from the northern and western sides. At the same time, it relies on the southern and sympathizing areas where large Sunni segments reside. The group has recently dominated most parts of Anbar province, and still retains many areas in the provinces of Diyala and Salahuddin, north and east of Baghdad. It killed Anbar police chief Maj. Gen. Ahmed Saddak al-Dulaimi on Oct.12, upon whom the government relied to control the province, given his tribal affiliation with the area and his long military experience and harsh manner in dealing with terrorists.

The recent developments have led to widespread horror in Baghdad, particularly since they coincided with a series of bombings in Shiite areas, including more than a dozen explosions in Kadhimiya. The area includes a major Shiite shrine. The bombings also led to the killing of Ahmed al-Khafaji, a member of parliament from the Badr Organization's parliamentary bloc, which currently holds the Interior Ministry. In addition, five explosions took place in Karbala, the closest Shiite city to Anbar and which hosts thousands of displaced Iraqis, on Oct. 20. Until now, the security situation was fairly stable in the city.