Pro-Iranian militias are attacking American bases in Iraq, and demonstrations are being organized in major cities in support of Iran. To what extent can Tehran rely on Iraqis for support?
Thousands of people have gathered in the square in front of the "Imam Hussein" mosque in Karbala - one of the most important places of worship for Shiite Muslims. Volunteers are helping and pushing wheelchairs for the elderly and the sick, who are hoping for healing. Inside, believers are praying, others are taking selfies, hoping to gain popularity in this way, ARD reports in its report from Iraq.
The mood is peaceful, the war in neighboring Iran seems very distant. Although dozens of people have been killed in airstrikes in Iraq in the past two weeks, the German public media writes.
Iraq is also a battlefield
Iraq has suffered the most casualties since the start of the war after Iran and Lebanon. "The casualties are constantly increasing. Yesterday we buried a group of young people. It seems that war is our destiny. I wish with all my heart that we and our children can live in peace and tranquility," radiologist Farah tells ARD.
The young people Farah is talking about are fighters from pro-Iranian militias. They are currently attacking American facilities in Iraq with drones every day, which is why they are being bombed by the US air force. The people of Karbala mourn them just as they mourn the victims of the war in Iran - most Iraqis are also Shiites.
The common battle of the Shiites
The people around the mosque also honor the memory of Imam Hussein, who died in the battle of Karbala in 680, fighting against the troops of the Umayyads - a Sunni dynasty that ruled the Islamic Caliphate in the period 661 - 750. A lot of time has passed since then, but for the Shiites the event remains key - it is a symbol of the struggle for identity against a military superpower, when you are abandoned by the rest of the world, explains ARD.
Engineer Arfan Talib recalls another event: "We should not forget who stood on our side in 2014 in the fight against the terrorists from the "Islamic State" - it was the Islamic Republic of Iran, while all other Arab countries turned their backs on us. It is our human, national and Islamic duty to support Iran," he claims.
Solidarity with the regime in Iran
Solidarity with Iran is also visible on the streets of Karbala, says Moritz Behrend from ARD. Everywhere there are large posters with photos of Ali Khamenei - the spiritual leader of the regime in Tehran, who was killed in the American-Israeli attacks. Next to him are other "martyrs" - Iranian or Iraqi militia commanders who died in the American airstrikes.
A demonstration was organized in the evening, in which groups of women participated, followed by Nigerian Shiites, as well as members of various Iraqi militias, armed this time only with the flags of their organizations.
Others carry photos of Ali Khamenei Sr. or his son and successor. There are also portraits of Hassan Nasrallah, the long-time leader of the Lebanese organization Hezbollah.
Fighting the "oppressor"
Do Shiites think they are at war with the rest of the world? "Before we are Shiites or Muslims, we are human beings", Sheikh Abu Bakr al-Saadi told the German public media. "This is about universal human rights. If someone is wronged, all we want is justice", he added.
"As people, we have a duty to take a stand and stand up to the oppressor. Whether through protests, words or other means." For the sheikh, the oppressors are the United States and Israel. He doesn't say a word about the fact that Iran is currently bombing all of its Muslim neighbors.
The demonstration is peaceful, but its participants are angry - they want the US and Israel dead. And they emphasize their readiness to fight - these are the "other means" of fighting the US and Israel mentioned by Sheikh Abu Bakr al-Saadi.
Calls for restraint
Some pro-Iranian militias in Iraq have taken up arms, but they probably do not represent the majority in the country, including among the Shiites. Influential clerics have called for restraint so that Iraq is not drawn further into this war.
And radiologist Farah wonders how the conflict will affect her and her children. "Our nerves are stretched to the limit. We were thinking of buying a house, but we gave up. We wanted to leave, but it didn't work out. It's as if our whole life has stopped," ARD quoted her as saying.
Her greatest wish is for the war to end quickly - if possible before the end of the holy month of Ramadan, which is this week.