Islamic State believed behind crop fires in Iraq’s disputed territories

Footage obtained by Al-Nujaba TV showed large flames engulfing the sides of mountains in Makhmour. The fires began the night of May 11 and burned into the morning of May 12.

Similar fires occurred last year throughout Iraq’s disputed territories, and farmers in Mosul are afraid it will happen again.

IS is suspected of starting the fires, but it is possible they are not the only arsonists. IS claimed credit for some of the fires last year, but some Kurdish farmers near Kirkuk told Al-Monitor that they suspected Arab farmers of burning their crops under IS’ name.

The disputed territories are extremely religiously and ethnically diverse. The region is home to Arabs, Kurds, Turkmens, Yazidis, Shabak, Assyrians and Syriacs. The Muslims are divided into Sunni and Shiite communities. There are high tensions between some residents. Some Kurds want the KRG to return to the disputed territories, while other Arabs, Turkmens and Shabak support the PMU and federal control, for example.

There have been displays of opposition to IS in the disputed territories following IS’ recent increase in attacks. In Hawija, south of Kirkuk, hundreds of tribal fighters grabbed guns and began a mass search for IS in the desert alongside the PMU and other Iraqi forces.

Most recently, IS reportedly killed two Kurds in a village in Diyala province on Sunday.