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.

Violence remains particularly concentrated in urban parts of Anbar, Salah ad-Din, Ninawa, western Diyala, south-western Ta'mim and northern Babil provinces. Terrorist attacks also continue to take place throughout Baghdad.

Air strikes continue to target militant positions in sparsely populated areas in the west of Anbar and Ninawa provinces near the border with Syria.

Last week saw a handful of attacks in the south of the country, including what appears to have been sectarian killings at a Sunni mosque in Basrah, as well as two small bombings in the city of Najaf, a major centre for the Shi'ah community. IS militants continue to try and provoke a backlash from the Shi'ah community by attacking religious interests.

A total of 34 non-suicide bomb attacks left 30 people dead and 111 injured countrywide. As Ramadan drew to a close three additional suicide bombings left 101 people dead and 53 injured.

Small arms attacks left eight people dead and eight injured, although it is likely that many more members of the security forces were shot during clashes with militants. The reporting climate is very poor amid the violence which makes it difficult to cross reference and verify all reports.

Indirect fire incidents (rockets, mortars and military artillery shelling) left 46 people dead and 67 injured.

At least eight people were reportedly abducted. Some are likely to be murdered rather than held for a ransom. At least 41 bodies were also recovered by the authorities in different parts of the central region.

As the fighting rages on, the heavily divided parliament managed to appoint a new president. The Kurd Fouad Massoum faces a very difficult challenge in trying to help form a unity government in Baghdad. With Nuri al-Maliki intent on retaining his position as prime minister, with numerous Sunni and Kurdish politicians staunchly opposed to his candidacy, the government-formation process will remain very slow, which will hinder any efforts at resolving the current violence in the country.

Amid the protracted fighting AKE affirmed the security risk rating for Iraq last week at 45 (Highly Dangerous Business Environment). AKE also affirmed the security risk rating for KRG territory at 19 (Elevated Risk). 

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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