Iraq Security weekly report, week #9

Counter-insurgency operations targeting the Islamic State (IS) organisation intensified around Tikrit last week, while the group continued to conduct attacks in the wider central-northern region.

Otherwise, countrywide a total of 16 non-suicide bomb attacks left 24 people dead and 78 injured. Two additional suicide bombings left five people dead and 24 injured.

Small arms attacks left 20 people dead and 14 injured, including members of the security forces shot during clashes with militants.

Indirect fire incidents (rockets, mortars and military artillery shelling) left four people dead and 16 injured.

At least 136 people were publicly executed by militants or murdered only to have their bodies later recovered by the authorities.

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Source: AKE GROUP

Iraq Security Weekly Roundup

In total at least 26 non-suicide #bomb #attacks left 45 people dead and 125 injured last week in #Iraq. Four additional #suicide bombings left at least 55 people dead and 104 injured.

Small arms attacks left nine people dead and one injured, including members of the #security #forces shot during clashes with #militants. Indirect fire incidents (rockets, mortars and military artillery shelling) left 15 people dead and 24 injured.

Seven people were #kidnapped in separate incidents in the centre and north of the country while the authorities recovered three bodies abandoned in #Baghdad and #Basrah.

#Islamic State (IS) militants seized a number of small towns around #Mosul last week, expanding their sphere of influence into areas uncomfortably close to Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) territory. 

The advance also forced numerous civilians from ethnic and religious backgrounds to flee areas such as the predominantly #Yazidi villages of Sinjar district and the predominantly #Christian town of #Qaraqosh. Reports, which are difficult to verify, are also indicating that extensive atrocities are being committed in areas under IS control, specifically against Yazidi and Christian civilians.

In response to the escalation the US approved targeted air strikes against IS militant targets. Bombings began on 8 August around Ninawa province and areas on routes approaching the Kurdish city of Erbil. Humanitarian air drops also took place around Mount Sinjar to help fleeing civilians gathered in the area to escape the militants.

Nonetheless, fighting continued between IS and affiliated fighters and the Iraqi security forces in numerous parts of the central and northern region. Clashes are also likely to continue for the foreseeable future, despite the US air strikes. It will be very difficult to retake major urban areas currently controlled by IS fighters, such as Mosul.

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Source: AKE GROUP

Iraq remains in Crisis, New Security Weekly Roundup

 Islamist militants led by the Islamic State (IS) continue to battle with the federal and Kurdish security forces in several parts of the central and northern region.

A total of 48 non-suicide bomb attacks left 53 people dead and 220 injured last week - an increase from recent weeks.

Three additional suicide bombings left seven people dead and 15 injured.

Small arms attacks left 14 people dead and 118 injured, including members of the security forces shot during clashes with militants.

Indirect fire incidents (rockets, mortars and military artillery shelling) left 46 people dead and 142 injured.

The bodies of at least 26 people were also recovered abandoned in various parts of the central region.

Last week's summary:

• Total number of violent incidents: 625 (slight rise from previous week)
• Total fatalities (not including militants): 146 (decrease from previous week)
• Total injured (not including militants): 495
• Average weekly number of violent incidents: 57 (2012) and 98 (2013)
• Average weekly fatalities: 60 (2012) and 140 (2013)

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Source: AKE GROUP.

Iraq Security Weekly Roundup

Islamist militants led by the Islamic State (IS) continue to battle with the federal and Kurdish security forces in several parts of the central and northern region.

The Iraqi government warned the UN that the militants had seized a chemical weapons facility north-west of Baghdad as well as nuclear material in Mosul, although various commentators reported that the militants would be unable to weaponise the material to any major extent and that it did not pose a major concern – at least not in comparison to the overall capabilities and threat posed by the IS in its existing form.

Amid the ongoing crisis the Iraqi parliament convened on 13 July but failed to appoint key members of government and subsequently adjourned within minutes of meeting. The next session will take place on 15 July.

The scope for cross-party agreement will remain low, with sharply deteriorating relations between Nuri al-Maliki and his allies and the Kurdish regional authorities in the north. Last week Nuri al-Maliki accused Erbil of harbouring terrorists while the Kurdish authorities seized control of two major oilfields near Kirkuk. While they aim to protect the assets the move is nonetheless provocative and will harm relations with the federal authorities.

With political relations so frayed the authorities will continue to seek a military solution to the insurgency in the central and northern provinces but without extensive negotiations, inclusion of key community figures and meaningful efforts to form an inclusive government the military solution will not pacify or stabilise the country.

As the fighting continues concerns have been raised over the stability of routes connecting Baghdad with the south of the country via Babil province. Roads around Jurf as-Sakhr are likely to be a significant battleground, the outcome of which will affect various aspects of life in the capital – including any evacuation plans which organisations in the city currently have in place.

Last week a total of 36 non-suicide bomb attacks left 12 people dead and 41 injured. Three additional suicide bombings left 36 people dead and 38 injured.

Small arms attacks left 38 people dead and 44 injured, including members of the security forces shot during clashes with militants. Indirect fire incidents (rockets, mortars and military artillery shelling) left 33 people dead and 87 injured.

At least 66 people were reportedly murdered, with their bodies found abandoned. Thirteen people were also reportedly abducted in the centre of the country.

Source:AKE