The Islamist State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) militant group is declaring a Caliphate in the territory it controls in those two countries.  This comes as Iraqi government troops are taking a bit longer to reestablish control of the city of Tikrit, despite earlier claims of gains.

It was ISIS’ seizure of Tikrit on 11 June that announced the Sunni militant groups’ capabilities to the world.  With today’s declaration, the group’s leader, the shadowy Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, would be known as “Caliph Ibrahim”.  And all Muslims are now ordered to “pledge allegiance” to the new ruler and “reject democracy and other garbage from the West”.  Good luck with those two. 

Establishing an Islamic Caliphate has long been the goal of Sunni insurgents across the world.  But it puts ISIS on a collision course with established Sunni leaders – not least of which is Saudi Arabia – but also increases the likelihood that that Shia Muslim Iran will take a more proactive role in the Iraq conflict. 

In fact, Iranian Brigadier General Massoud Jazayeri of the Revolutionary Guard told Iran’s al Alam television that Iran’s response to the militias would be “certain and serious”. 

“Iran has told Iraqi officials it is ready to provide them with our successful experiments in popular all-around defense, the same winning strategy used in Syria to put the terrorists on the defensive,” Jazayeri said.  “This same strategy is now taking shape in Iraq - mobilizing masses of all ethnic groups.”