Iraqis fear uncertain future in areas under 'Islamic State'
The Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) is not the only group operating in regions now under its banner.
When political crises erupt, observers tend to focus on the events and developments and forget about the people whose blood is shed in the storm. This is the case now with the people of Iraq, who have to choose between the bad and the worst.
The general absence of the media in the areas that fell to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) has resulted in not enough attention being paid to the situation of the people there.
Al-Monitor met and contacted dozens of residents living in these areas or who have been displaced from them — specifically Mosul and Diyala — to get a clearer picture of what is happening.
The first question that comes to mind is who holds power in these areas. The name “ISIS” doesn’t tell the whole story about the many armed groups that received backing and support from various tribal, religious and political leaders in all Sunni areas.
