Iraqis still think America supports ISIS

Many Iraqis who oppose ISIS aren't sure the United States is on their side in the fight against the brutal terrorist organization, even after a $10 million outreach campaign the U.S. conducted in Iraq in 2015.

Conspiracy theories about America's ulterior motives abound, especially among Shiite militias partnering with Iraq's fragile government. A common theme is the allegation that "the U.S. created the jihadi group to sow chaos in the region in order to seize its oil," The Associated Press reports. This belief is fueled by ISIS seizure of American weaponry because, as one critic asked on Iraqi television, "Is it logical to believe that America, the source of technology and science, could fire a rocket or drop aid materials in a mistaken way?"

This skepticism of American intervention is widespread among the Iraqi population, according to State Department data released in April. About 4 in 10 Iraqis are convinced "the United States is working to destabilize Iraq and control its natural resources," the State report revealed, and 3 in 10 say America backs terrorism in general or ISIS in particular.

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