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Islamism & Iran-Iraq War (Both sides strategically mixed religion and…
Islamism & Iran-Iraq War
Began on 22nd September 1980, when Iraq invaded Iran
Ended on 20th August, 1988, when Iran accepted the UN-brokered ceasefire
Tensions between Iraq and Iran were fuelled by Iran's Islamic revolution and its appearance of being a Pan-Islamic force, in contrast to Iraq's Arab nationalism
Both sides strategically mixed religion and politics to garner internal allegiance and external support
Saddam’s quest for territorial acquisition was presented to his people and the international community as an attempt to curb Iran’s Shia revivalism, rhetoric and expansionist efforts
He utilized sectarianism as a weapon of war by effectively linking Sunnism to religious nationalism. By strategically politicizing ancient Sunni-versus-Shia sectarianism he created a sense of national unity in support of the nation’s Sunni/Arab identity against the Shia/Persians
On the Iranian side, Khomeini and other Iranian leadership framed the war as one for the defense not only for Iran, but of Islam and the revolution
Moreover, Iranian leadership actively sought to export the Islamic Revolution to other countries, particularly those with Shia populations such as Iraq
Both Iran and Iraq were eager to stoke the fires of religion and ancient animosities to mobilize followers, while simultaneously promoting a hidden agenda
The Iran-Iraq War is over, but its legacy continues to live on though the strategic use
of sectarianism as an instrument of war for Iran and Saudi Arabia
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