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It has taken Maliki time to get some support. Whether he negotiated for it or events made it necessary is not even clear. Sahdr's Mahdi Army (mostly Shiites) finally rallied to Maliki's side. Mostly only in words. It says how little Maliki's support has been.
Kurds still stand alone. Kurd's are still rumored to hold parts of Mosul and most if not all of Kirkuk. Kirkuk is a major oil transport city. Kurd's are playing a game of independence. Leaving ISIS / ISIL to punch it out with the Iraqi army. ISIS / ISIL's purpose is not to take cities. Primarily, they are taking weapons and ammunition. Which Iraqi troop, missing leadership, are so willing to surrender intact.
In one area defended by a rumored 20,000 Iraqis, a threat created by a rumored 200 extremists caused Iraqi soldiers to flee. Biggest problem is a total lack of facts from the front (where ever that is). But the Iraqi army appears to be crumbling like a 1974 S Vietnam army. This and that both perfect examples of where 85% of all problems come from.
Part of Maliki's problem is humiliation. He was given and has done little to increase Iraqi's clearly reduced standards of living. Life was substantially better under Saddam. Civilian humiliation empowers and enriches extremists.
Some Sunni Tribes are rumored to reject these extremist conquerors. But what are they to do? The Iraqi Army has yet to put up a successful defense. And is clearly incapable of offensive action. Nobody wants to side with a loser; except maybe the Mahdi Army.
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