The Energy Jihad: The Alamut of Oil

Iraq has historically been one of the most important centers of Sunnis. For example, Ali ibn Abu Talib ruled Rashidun state from Kufa, a city near Karbala and Najaf. During Umayyad Emirate, Iraq continued to be the main military base of the armies waging "Jihad" in Asia. The Abbasid Emirate, with Baghdad its capital, was too, established in Iraq.

Therefore, an important part of Sunni heritage, such as some of the mausoleums of Ashab, Abbasid Amirs, and prominent Sunni scholars lay in various cities of Iraq.

On the other hand, as a result of absorbing mentality of Mesopotamian imperialism and Arab Emirates, Iraq had territorial claims on Iran.