Events in Iraq are developing so rapidly that they could prove dangerous. The anti-government movement, which started as a legitimate protest against the detention of women and to change recent laws that have been perceived as a tool to exclude the Sunnis from the decision-making process has turned into a bloody confrontation between government forces and protesters. As a result, more than 100 people have lost their lives in the past few days. Iraq has yet to recover from the wounds of the sectarian war of 2006-2009. Any hint of a sectarian component in the current protests will certainly lead to a bigger and bloodier confrontation, taking into account the prevailing polarisation in the Arab world since the start of the Syrian uprising two years ago. The lack of genuine national dialogue and an inclusive political road map in Iraq threatens to widen the gulf and can very well take the country back to the dark days of the last decade. Iraq has paid a heavy price — tens of thousands of innocent lives lost and destruction of a significant part of the country’s infrastructure.

With another war raging in neighbouring Syria, Iraqis need to think seriously of the impact of a similar confrontation. The Iraqi government must stop betting on the army to end the protests. It should meet face to face with the protest leaders to find a way out of the current deadlock, especially now that extremist elements are starting to get involved and are defying the army. A militant group has just claimed to have seized a small town in the north, which has subsequently been surrounded by troops and tanks.

Iraqi leaders from all communities must resort to reason. Emotions are high. Tension is rising steadily. Legitimate protests must be addressed and resolved. Meanwhile, the government of an increasingly arrogant Nouri Al Maliki must listen to the people and meet their demands. He cannot get away with pretending it is all about terrorists and Al Qaida. He has failed so far to unite his country. Perhaps it is time for a new leadership in Iraq.