Iraq Weekly Roundup, 5 December 2011

Summary Levels of violence rose in Iraq over the past week. At least 94 people were killed and 168 injured in nationwide violence, making it the worst week since a series of bombings caused havoc in mid-June. As the US military withdrawal continues, many Iraqis are increasingly worried at the possibility of rising violence over the coming year. As warned, terrorists have begun targeting Shi’ah worshippers gathering to commemorate Ashura (which will culminate on 5-6 December). Further attacks should be expected over the coming 48 hours, particularly around the central provinces where many will congregate around mosques to mark the anniversary of the death of Imam Hussein. A rise in non-suicide bomb attacks last week left 38 people dead and 123 injured last week while at least four separate suicide attacks left 23 people dead and 30 injured, although had it not been for the vigilance of the Iraqi security forces who managed to prevent some of the attackers inflicting extensive damage the death toll would have been higher. Some of the more notable blasts occurred in Taji, Khalis and even the normally well defended International Zone, highlighting the fact that there are no grounds for complacency.  Unrest in Zakhu and Sulaymaniyah over the weekend also illustrates that even in the quiet Kurdish region there remains the potential for political violence. Small arms fire attacks left 29 people dead and 15 injured last week while there were no incidents of indirect fire attacks (rockets and mortars) recorded at all. Otherwise, a Kurdish civilian was abducted in Kirkuk last week while foreigners are reminded of the ongoing risk of abduction for political purposes. November Review AKE has compiled figures of violence over the course of November.  At least 200 people were killed and over 560 injured during the month. A third of attacks targeted civilians, but over half of all attacks targeted either the police or Iraqi military. Government employees, particularly those working in ministries in the capital, were the next most commonly targeted group. After that the Sahwah organisation suffered the next greatest number of targeted shootings and bombings in the central provinces. The US military suffered a handful of attacks, but they will now go into decline as the force crosses the border into Kuwait. The media suffered at least three separate attacks, as did religious interests, academics and members of the medical profession. Commercial interests remain at risk but they remain targeted only infrequently. Note that the oil and gas sector was not targeted at all over the course of the month. Frequency of Attacks According to AKE figures, Baghdad remains the most hazardous part of Iraq, followed closely by Ninawa province, particularly its provincial capital Mosul. Both areas see an average of at least one violent incident per day at present. The next most hazardous provinces are Ta’mim (Kirkuk), Anbar, Diyala, Salah ad-Din and Babil. The southern provinces remain far more quiet, although they should not be considered ‘safe’. A bomb attack in central Basrah province served as a reminder to foreign companies that security measures will remain an important consideration for anyone looking to invest in the region. The security forces, both US and Iraqi, also continue to locate and make safe explosive devices along the key routes in the southern region. ___________________________________________________ Resource: AKE Intel.