President Barack Obama should have limited himself to ordering his forces to airdrop provisions for members of Iraq’s Yazidi community fleeing the wrath of the militant group calling itself the Islamic State.

Regrettably, on Friday, he acted on his earlier warning that air strikes would be launched against the extremist militia. With American warplanes initiating their attack by bombing artillery allegedly used by IS against Kurdish forces near the Iraqi city of Erbil, an alarming dimension has been added to a regional conflict that is already spiralling out of control.

With such attacks bound to increase in the coming days, Mr Obama’s statement that “there is no American military solution to the crisis in Iraq” is neither reassuring nor likely to be taken seriously.

True, the hardline IS continues to capture more territory in Iraq. Firmly ensconced in Mosul, on Thursday, it had taken over Qaraqosh, Iraq’s largest Christian town, and its surrounding settlements, causing a large number of residents to flee.

There is no doubt that the challenge posed by the IS needs a swift and firm response. But American or European military engagement is certainly not the best way forward. After all, Iraq’s current predicament mostly stems from the 2003 US-led invasion that helped transform an authoritarian yet functioning country into a largely failed state fractured along ethnic, sectarian and religious lines.

In light of this, perhaps the best solution lies in a regional approach featuring Iran, Saudi Arabia and Turkey — Iraq’s powerful and influential neighbours — in prominent roles. Iran and Saudi Arabia particularly exercise considerable influence over Iraq’s Shia and Sunni communities, respectively. Tehran and Riyadh should convince their allies in Baghdad to resolve the political deadlock.

There has been some recent progress, as a new assembly speaker and president have been elected. However, the crucial post of prime minister remains vacant. Once there is political unity, Iraq, again with the help of its neighbours, can focus on clipping the wings of the Islamic State.

Published in Dawn, August 9th, 2014