Friday, January 13, 2012

Iraq Weekly Roundup, 9 January 2012

Summary
Levels of violence rose in Iraq last week. At least 107 people were killed and 300 injured in nationwide incidents. A total of 42 bomb attacks left 45 people dead and 192 injured. An additional suicide bombing targeting Shi’ah pilgrims in Dhi Qar province killed 44 more people and injured over 80 more. A slight rise in the number of small arms fire attacks left 16 people dead and 10 injured. Indirect fire attacks (rockets and mortars) left 17 people injured, all in Baghdad.

Current Trends
Much of the violence was concentrated in the centre of the country. Security measures are currently being heightened as the country prepares to mark the Shi’ah holy period of Arba’een. The event culminates on 13-14 January and will see numerous Shi’ah pilgrims converge on mosques and shrines, particularly in Karbala. Otherwise, Mosul saw numerous incidents while attacks were dispersed through the province of Ta’mim. Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) territory also saw a number of violent incidents, but they were largely related to low-level criminality and local disputes rather than politics or terrorism.

Abductions
Four people were kidnapped over the course of the week, including a Turkmen contractor who managed to escape within 24 hours of his abduction. Another kidnap victim, held for an unspecific period of time was also rescued during an operation in Diyala province. AKE will be releasing its quarterly kidnap report in the coming days.



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Source: AKE

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