ETHNO-CONFESSIONAL COMPONENTS OF THE INTERNAL POLITICAL CONFLICT IN IRAQ
Keywords:
ethno-confessional components, a peaceful settlement, interethnic and interreligious conflicts, cultural and religious groups, international organizations, human rights groups.
Abstract
The main goal of this study is to analyze the ethno-confessional aspects of the internal political conflict in Iraq in order to reveal the causes and consequences of the conflict and develop recommendations to promote a peaceful settlement. The justification of the topic is based on the presence of ethno-confessional differences in the country, the existence of different cultural and religious groups, such as Sunnis and Shiites, Kurds and Yazidis, as well as other ethnic groups, which creates complexity and vulnerability for Iraqi society, and leads to regular conflicts and tensions. Understanding the ethno-confessional aspects of the conflict in Iraq can contribute to some increase in the scientific significance of the study for the analysis of interethnic and interreligious conflicts, as well as have a positive impact on the search for political and social strategies for the peaceful resolution of conflicts on an international scale. The study of the ethno-confessional components of the conflict in Iraq from a practical point of view can be useful for international organizations, human rights groups and humanitarian agencies in developing programs and projects to improve the situation in the region and promote peaceful conflict resolution. The event analysis was implied as the main basic research method, supported fragmentarily by historical, functional, geopolitical methods. As a result, the study of ethno-confessional components of the internal political conflict in Iraq may retain an interest of international actors in the stability of Iraq, which furthermore opens up opportunities for diplomatic initiatives.
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Abdul-Nour, A. (2023). Social identity theory and internal displacement: A longitudinal case study of Iraqi Christians in Kurdistan (Working Paper No. 38). NGO Future Leaders Network. [In English]. [Abdul-Nour, A. Social identity theory and internal displacement: a longitudinal case study of Iraqi Christians in
Kurdistan. Working Paper No. 38. NGO Future Leaders Network. 2023. P. 1–28.]
Abdulqadir, Z. (2021). The cultural diversity of contemporary Iraq in the light of security threats and conflicts between its components. Social Development and Security, 11(3), 72–78. https://doi.org/10.33445/sds.2021.11.3.7 [In English]. [Abdulqadir, Z. The cultural diversity of contemporary Iraq in the light of security threats and conflicts between its components. Social Development and Security. 2021. Vol. 11, No. 3. P. 72–78. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33445/sds.2021.11.3.7 ]
Akbaba, Y., & Taydas, Z. (2011). Does religious discrimination promote dissent? A quantitative analysis. Ethnopolitics, 10(3–4), 271–295. https://doi.org/10.1080/17449057.2011.561988 [In English]. [Akbaba, Y., Taydas, Z. Does religious discrimination promote dissent? A quantitative analysis. Ethnopolitics. 2011. Vol. 10, No. 3–4. P. 271–295. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17449057.2011.561988.]
Al Samaraie, N. (2007). Humanitarian implications of the wars in Iraq. International Review of the Red Cross, 89(868), 929–942. [In English]. [Al Samaraie, N. Humanitarian implications of the wars in Iraq. International Review of the Red Cross. 2007. Vol. 89, No. 868. P. 929–942.] URL: https://international-review.icrc.
org/sites/default/files/irrc-868-10.pdf (дата звернення 12.03.2026р.)
Bulin, O. (2022, September 2). Boiling cauldron: The ethno-confessional factor of the Iraqi conflict. ADASTRA Analytical Center. [In Ukrainian]. [Булін, О. Кипучий котел: етноконфесійний фактор іракського конфлікту. Аналітичний центр ADASTRA. 2022.] URL: https://adastra.org.ua/blog/kipuchij-kotel-
etnokonfesijnij-faktor-irakskogo-konfliktu (дата звернення 12.03.2026р.)
Byman, D. (2003). Constructing a democratic Iraq: Challenges and opportunities. International Security, 28(1), 47–78. [In English]. [Byman, D. Constructing a Democratic Iraq: Challenges and Opportunities. International Security, 28(1), 47–78.] URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/4137575 (дата звернення 17.03.2026р.)
Edcumbe, S. (2019). Islamic State, disputed territory and ethno-religious diversity: An opportunity for the development of Iraq’s national policy on displacement. MERI. [In English]. [Edcumbe, S. Islamic State, disputed territory and ethno-religious diversity: an opportunity for the development of Iraq’s national policy on displacement. MERI. 2019. P. 1–19.]
Fazel, S. (2023, July 5). Addressing challenges to tolerance and religious diversity in Iraq. Middle East Institute. [In English]. [Fazel, S. Addressing challenges to tolerance and religious diversity in Iraq. Middle East Institute. 2023.]
Gurr, T. (1994). Peoples against the state: Ethnopolitical conflict in the changing world system. International Studies Quarterly, 38(3), 347–377. [In English]. [Gurr, T. Peoples against the state: ethnopolitical conflict in the changing world system. International Studies Quarterly. 1994. Vol. 38, No. 3. P. 347–377.] URL:
https://academic.oup.com/isq/article-abstract/38/3/347/1863852?redirectedFrom=fulltext (дата звернення 12.03.2026р.)
Hawkar, M., & Ishtiaq, H. (2021). Conflict dynamics in post-2003 Iraq: A security dilemma perspective. UKH Journal of Social Sciences, 5(1), 18–28. [In English]. [Hawkar, M., Ishtiaq, H. Conflict dynamics in post-2003 Iraq: a security dilemma perspective. UKH Journal of Social Sciences. 2021. Vol. 5, No. 1. P. 18–28.
URL: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/352873527_Conflict_Dynamics_in_Post-2003_Iraq_A_Security_Dilemma_Perspective (дата звернення 17.03.2026р.)
Horowitz, D. (1985). Ethnic groups in conflict. University of California Press. [In English]. [Horowitz, D. Ethnic groups in conflict. Berkeley; Los Angeles: University of California Press, 1985. 264 p.]
Lukitz, L. (1997). Iraq: The search for national identity. International Journal of Middle East Studies, 29(2), 308–309. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0020743800064692 [In English]. [Lukitz, L. Iraq: the search for national identity. International Journal of Middle East Studies. 1997. Vol. 29, No. 2. P. 308–309. DOI: https://doi.
org/10.1017/S0020743800064692.]
Luomi, M. (2008). Sectarian identities or geopolitics? The regional Shia-Sunni divide in the Middle East (Working Paper No. 56). The Finnish Institute of International Affairs. [In English]. [Luomi, M. Sectarian identities or geopolitics? The regional Shia-Sunni divide in the Middle East. Working Paper No. 56.
The Finnish Institute of International Affairs. 2008. P. 1–60.]
Shulyak, S. (2012). Ethnic conflict in the theory of international relations: The realist view. Grani, 9(89), 112–116. [in Ukrainian]. [Шуляк, С. Етнічний конфлікт у теорії міжнародних відносин: погляд реалістів. Грані / Політологія. 2012. No. 9 (89). P. 112–116.]
United States Department of State. (2022). International religious freedom report for 2022. Office of International Religious Freedom. [in English]. [United States Department of State. International religious freedom report for 2022. Office of International Religious Freedom. 2022.]
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. (2024). Annual results report 2024: Iraq. UNHCR. [in English]. [United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Annual results report 2024: Iraq. UNHCR. 2024. P. 1–28.]
Wimmer, A. (2003). Democracy and Ethno-Religious Conflict in Iraq. Presented at the Center on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law, Stanford University, May 5, 2003, P.1-26. [In English]. [Democracy and Ethno-Religious Conflict in Iraq. Stanford University, May 5, 2003, P.1-26.] URL: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/mideast/IQ/wimmer.pdf (дата звернення 12.03.2026 р.)
Published
2026-05-29
How to Cite
Poble, D. K., & Nikolaieva, O. P. (2026). ETHNO-CONFESSIONAL COMPONENTS OF THE INTERNAL POLITICAL CONFLICT IN IRAQ. International and Political Studies, (41), 226-236. https://doi.org/10.32782/2707-5206.2026.41.19
Section
THEORY AND HISTORY OF POLITICAL THOUGHT AND PROBLEMS OF POLITICAL DISCOURSE
