Iraq’s general elections, which began on April 30, were severely hampered by violence perpetrated by al Qaeda forces in the nation.

Iraq has fallen from the delicate democratic platform America placed it on, and has descended into secular infighting and terrorism. If anyone thinks al Qaeda is not back with full force, try driving to the polling booth.

The threat of car bombs closed roads to all private vehicles on the day of the election. It was part of a massive security operation by the Iraqi Army to stop al Qaeda from launching attacks and threatening voters on the day of the election. It didn’t work.

The cities of Fallujah and Ramadi are still under partial al Qaeda control, which prevented any polling booths from opening. But the violence is not confined to areas outside the Iraqi Army’s influence. Al Qaeda is determined to intimidate Iraqi civilians across the nation and thereby keep them in their homes when there is an election.

And al Qaeda doesn’t offer hollow threats.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLY2MWF306U&feature=youtu.be

High security presence at polling stations in Kirkuk and Baghdad, Iraq, on April 30

Iraq is experiencing the worst violence it has seen in six years. More than 1,400 people died in the first two months of the year. It hasn’t slowed down since that time. On the day before the elections, 15 people were murdered when two bombs exploded in a market in al Saadiyah. The day before that, 30 people were killed in the town of Khanaqin. The week before was marred with more violence, as 31 people were killed at a Shiite rally in Baghdad. That week leading up to the election saw 160 people killed in al Qaeda attacks across the nation. Al Qaeda is proving itself very capable of avoiding detection and carrying out assaults across the country.

Approximately 21 million of Iraq’s 33 million citizens were registered to vote, though the turnout didn’t match the figures as residents decided to stay home rather than risk visiting a polling booth.

The violence is testimony to the inescapable fact that Iraq today is probably less safe than it was at the start of the U.S. intervention. Today, al Qaeda is taking control, and it is not interested in using democratic processes to make its presence felt.

But the al Qaeda terrorists are not the only power to be feared by Iraqis. The current Shiite government of Nouri al Maliki has been accused of fueling much of the violence as opposition parties accuse it of promoting Shia Islam while isolating minorities. In the north of the country, Maliki’s domestic policies have isolated the ethic Kurds, who look set to call for independence. It is this contention between the various minorities and factions that has given al Qaeda an excuse to become more involved in the country and expand its influence in regions where minorities hold greater sway.

Maliki has ruled with an iron fist since coming to power as prime minister in 2006. During his time in office, Maliki has worked to consolidate power, taking on himself the ministries of defense, national security and interior. He also heads up the Iraqi armed forces.

This year, Maliki is running for office again—made possible by a court decision that overturned laws preventing a third term.

According to Paul Salem, vice president for Policy and Research at the Middle East Institute, “Unless Maliki is replaced or drastically changes his policies, these might be the last elections in a nominally united Iraq.” But Maliki still enjoys the backing of Iran and the United States, as well as the military.

Salem continues, “While the United States must await the results of the April 30 elections and cannot ignore the real threats from resurgent terror groups, it must also recognize that Iraq is on a path to disintegration.” The Iraq of today is a far cry from the outcome that U.S. and coalition forces fought for until the 2011 withdrawal. So how did we allow this to happen? Was the Iraq War really a success? If these questions are ringing in your ears, and you want answers, read our article, “Spent in Vain.”