This is with reference to the report “Iraq troops watched as Shiite militiamen executed 72 Sunnis” (Jan.30). This is a perfect recipe for further turmoil in a country, which is already severely divided along sectarian lines. Unscrupulous groups like Al-Qaeda and the self-ascribed Islamic State (IS) will make the most of such incidents to boost their recruitment drives. Effects of such gruesome actions are not likely to remain confined to the war-torn Iraq but will surely create ripples in the entire region and the Muslim world.

Despite Iraq’s government resolve to conduct a probe into this incident, it shows that Iraq is becoming a Shiite state as envisaged by former Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki, whose discriminatory policies have turned the country into a cauldron of chaos.

It is unfortunate that instead of working together for the reconstruction of their country, Iraqis are fighting among themselves. Sectarianism is perhaps worse than terrorism as it renders a nation weak against the challenges of modern times. The Muslim world should realize that infighting would only help the enemies.

Yahya Khan

Jeddah