Iraq’s insurgents continued to carry out a high level of
activity in the third week of January 2015. Security incidents went down from
August to December, but have picked up since then. On the other hand,
pro-government forces were on the offensive in Diyala, Ninewa and Salahaddin
for the week. In the second half of 2014 the security forces, militias and
peshmerga regained the initiative and began retaking lost territory, while the
insurgency cooled off as it usually does at the end of the year. Now Iraq may
be witnessing both forces simultaneously launching attacks throughout the
center of the country.
From January 15-21, 2015 there were a reported 181 security
incidents. That was up from January 8-14 when there were 172, but on par with
the first week of the month, which had 184 incidents. That averaged out to 25.5
attacks per day. In comparison, in December there were 21.8, 19.7 in November,
and 23.9 in October. Baghdad saw the most violence with 44 attacks, followed by
41in Anbar, 40 in Salahaddin, 23 in Ninewa, 11 in Diyala and Kirkuk each, six
in Babil, three in Basra, and two in Maysan. If this trend continues early 2015
could see the same level of attacks as during the height of the summer
offensive.
This violence led to 390 people losing their lives and
another 515 wounded. Those were at the same levels as the previous two weeks,
and higher than December. So far there has been an average of 74.0 deaths per
day in the new year. In the previous month there were 57.2. January 15-21 saw
88 members of the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF), 15 Sahwa, 27 peshmerga, and 260
civilians die, along with 38 ISF, 41 Sahwa, one peshmerga, and 435 civilians
wounded. Broken down by province Ninewa had the most deaths with 105, then
Salahaddin with 87, Baghdad with 67, Diyala with 64, Anbar with 49, Babil with
11, five in Kirkuk, and one each in Basra and Maysan.
Violence In Iraq By Week Jun.
2014-Jan. 2015
Date
|
Incidents
|
Dead
|
Wounded
|
Jun 1-7
|
228
|
612
|
1,020
|
Jun 8-14
|
234
|
1,889
|
890
|
Jun 15-21
|
179
|
803
|
759
|
Jun 22-28
|
203
|
733
|
777
|
Jun 29-30
|
59
|
127
|
236
|
JUN
|
901
|
4,172
|
3,701
|
Jul 1-7
|
203
|
526
|
651
|
Jul 8-14
|
214
|
577
|
628
|
Jul 15-21
|
230
|
444
|
1,009
|
Jul 22-28
|
224
|
589
|
801
|
Jul 29-31
|
66
|
163
|
230
|
JUL
|
937
|
2,299
|
3,319
|
Aug 1-8
|
269
|
1,122
|
885
|
Aug 9-14
|
179
|
710
|
1,152
|
Aug 15-21
|
150
|
354
|
499
|
Aug 22-28
|
156
|
523
|
798
|
Aug 29-31
|
59
|
125
|
289
|
AUG
|
813
|
2,834
|
3,623
|
Sep 1-7
|
168
|
616
|
751
|
Sep 8-14
|
156
|
433
|
722
|
Sep 15-21
|
166
|
620
|
749
|
Sep 22-28
|
153
|
395
|
573
|
Sep 29-30
|
47
|
112
|
252
|
SEP
|
690
|
2,176
|
3,047
|
Oct 1-7
|
170
|
451
|
687
|
Oct 8-14
|
188
|
532
|
875
|
Oct 15-21
|
156
|
449
|
770
|
Oct 22-28
|
159
|
345
|
592 +
1,230
|
Oct 29-31
|
68
|
570
|
227
|
OCT
|
741
|
2,347
|
3,151 + 1,230
|
Nov 1-7
|
153
|
601
|
828
|
Nov 8-14
|
128
|
420
|
593
|
Nov 15-21
|
134
|
283
|
464
|
Nov 22-28
|
138
|
321
|
640
|
Nov 29-30
|
40
|
206
|
510
|
NOV
|
593
|
1,831
|
3,035
|
Dec 1-7
|
137
|
323
|
476
|
Dec 8-14
|
156
|
233 + 166
|
444 +
1,113
|
Dec 15-21
|
133
|
377
|
340
|
Dec 22-28
|
161
|
558
|
432
|
Dec 29-31
|
91
|
117
|
233
|
DEC
|
678
|
1,774
|
3,038
|
Jan 1-7
|
184
|
434
|
464
|
Jan 8-14
|
172
|
731
|
493
|
Jan 15-21
|
181
|
390
|
515
|
Violence In Iraq By Province, Jan.
2015
Province
|
Jan 1-7
|
Jan 8-14
|
Anbar
|
43
Incidents
129
Killed: 23 ISF, 30 Sahwa, 76 Civilians
146
Wounded: 45 ISF, 101 Civilians
30
Shootings
1 IED
2 Suicide
Bombers
2 Suicide
Car Bombs
3 Mortars
3 Rockets
|
28
Incidents
58
Killed: 8 ISF, 1 Sahwa, 49 Civilians
106
Wounded: 1 Sahwa, 105 Civilians
19
Shootings
1 IED
1 Mortar
1 Rocket
|
Babil
|
6
Incidents
13
Killed: 2 ISF, 11 Civilians
44
Wounded: 4 ISF, 40 Civilians
2
Shootings
4 IEDs
1 Sticky
Bomb
|
5
Incidents
10
Killed: 5 ISF, 1 Sahwa, 4 Civilians
31
Wounded: 31 Civilians
1
Shooting
1 IED
1 Suicide
Car Bomb
|
Baghdad
|
40
Incidents
58
Killed: 6 ISF, 52 Civilians
147
Wounded: 1 ISF, 146 Civilians
12
Shootings
31 IEDs
5 Sticky
Bombs
1 Car
Bomb
|
43
Incidents
60
Killed: 4 ISF, 4 Sahwa, 52 Civilians
167
Wounded: 8 ISF, 8 Sahwa, 151 Civilians
17
Shootings
19 IEDs
3 Sticky
Bombs
1 Suicide
Bomber
1 Mortar
|
Basra
|
3
Incidents
4 Killed:
4 Civilians
1
Wounded: 1 Civilian
1
Shooting
1 IED
|
-
|
Diyala
|
11
Incidents
13
Killed: 2 ISF, 11 Civilians
23 Wounded:
1 ISF, 22 Civilians
8
Shootings
3 Mortars
|
9
Incidents
25
Killed: 25 Civilians
17
Wounded: 17 Civilians
5
Shootings
3 IEDs
2 Mortars
|
Kirkuk
|
6
Incidents
1 Mortar
|
17
Incidents
4 Killed:
2 Peshmerga, 1 Asayesh, 1 Sahwa
15
Wounded: 11 Peshmerga, 3 Asayesh, 1 Civilian
11
Shootings
10 IEDs
|
Maysan
|
1
Incident
1 Killed:
1 Civilian
1
Wounded: 1 Civilian
1
Shooting
|
-
|
Ninewa
|
30
Incidents
119
Killed: 16 ISF, 4 Peshmerga, 99 Civilians
3
Wounded: 3 Peshmerga
20
Shootings
7 IEDs
2 Suicide
Car Bombs
|
33 Incidents
392
Killed: 2 ISF, 12 Peshmerga, 26 Asayesh,
8 YPG, 344 Civilians
7
Wounded: 5 Asayesh, 2 YPG
30
Shootings
1 Suicide
Car Bomb
|
Qadisiyah
|
1
Incident
1 Sticky
Bomb
|
-
|
Salahaddin
|
43
Incidents
97
Killed: 23 ISF, 74 Civilians
99
Wounded: 84 ISF, 15 Civilians
17
Shootings
9 IEDs
3 Sticky
Bombs
1 Suicide
Car Bomb
1 Mortar
|
34
Incidents
181
Killed: 44 ISF, 137 Civilians
150
Wounded: 15 ISF, 135 Civilians
12
Shootings
23 IEDs
3 Suicide
Bombers
6 Suicide
Car Bombs
1 Car
Bomb
4 Mortars
|
Province
|
Jan 15-21
|
Anbar
|
41
Incidents
49
Killed: 2 ISF, 14 Sahwa, 33 Civilians
198
Wounded: 7 ISF, 38 Sahwa, 153 Civilians
25
Shootings
2 IEDs
12
Suicide Car Bombs
6 Mortars
|
Babil
|
6
Incidents
11
Killed: 1 ISF, 10 Civilians
35
Wounded: 3 ISF, 32 Civilians
1
Shooting
3 IEDs
1 Sticky
Bomb
1 Car
Bomb
|
Baghdad
|
44
Incidents
67
Killed: 4 ISF, 1 Sahwa, 62 Civilians
197
Wounded: 9 ISF, 3 Sahwa, 185 Civilians
11
Shootings
24 IEDs
4 Sticky
Bombs
1
Motorcycle Bomb
3 Mortars
|
Basra
|
3
Incidents
1 Killed:
1 Civilian
|
Diyala
|
11 Incidents
64
Killed: 2 ISF, 11 Peshmerga, 51 Civilians
16
Wounded: 16 Civilians
6
Shootings
4 IEDs
1 Suicide
Car Bombs
|
Kirkuk
|
11
Incidents
5 Killed:
5 Civilians
2
Shootings
1 Sticky
Bomb
|
Maysan
|
2
Incidents
1 Killed:
1 Civilian
1
Shooting
1 Stun
Bomb
|
Ninewa
|
23
Incidents
105
Killed: 60 ISF, 16 Peshmerga, 29 Civilians
1
Wounded: 1 Peshmerga
15
Shootings
18 IEDs
|
Salahaddin
|
40
Incidents
87
Killed: 19 ISF, 68 Civilians
68
Wounded: 19 ISF, 49 Civilians
19
Shootings
23 IEDs
2 Suicide
Car Bombs
2
Grenades
1 Mortar
|
Car Bombs In Iraq Jan. 2015
Date
|
Location
|
Dead
|
Wounded
|
Jan 1
|
Habaniya, Anbar
|
|
|
Jan 2
|
|
|
|
Jan 3
|
|
|
|
Jan 4
|
Sadoun St, Baghdad
Outside Samarra, Salahaddin
|
|
5
|
Jan 5
|
Anaz, Anbar
|
4
|
7
|
Jan 6
|
|
|
|
Jan 7
|
Ayathiya x2, Ninewa
|
4
|
3
|
Totals
|
6
|
8
|
15
|
Jan 8
|
Yusifiya Babil
Berhewa, Ninewa
Samarra x5, Salahaddin
|
47
|
45
|
Jan 9
|
Mount Sinjar x2
|
|
|
Jan 10
|
|
|
|
Jan 11
|
Baiji Refinery & West of
Samarra, Salahaddin
|
1
|
3
|
Jan 12
|
|
|
|
Jan 13
|
|
|
|
Jan 14
|
|
|
|
Totals
|
11
|
48
|
48
|
Jan 15
|
Baquba, Diyala
Tarmiya, Salahaddin
|
3
|
21
|
Jan 16
|
Rahaliya, Anbar
Hweish, Salahaddin
|
23
|
1
|
Jan 17
|
|
|
|
Jan 18
|
|
|
|
Jan 19
|
Ramadi, Anbar
Mahmudiya, Babil
|
3
|
15
|
Jan 20
|
Abu Risha, Albu Ghanim, Nikhaib,
Ramadi x7, Anbar
|
5
|
35
|
Jan 21
|
|
|
|
Totals
|
16
|
34
|
72
|
After a slight lull the number of vehicle borne improvised
explosive devices (VBIEDs) went up during the week. There were 16 successful
attacks across Anbar, Babil, Diyala and Salahaddin. That left 34 people dead
and 72 wounded. Almost all of these car bombs were used in tactical attacks
upon the security forces and militias, often in conjunction with infantry
assaults. Many more VBIEDs have been used, but were destroyed before reaching
their targets.
Anbar continued to be threatened by insurgents who control
the majority of the province. During the week militants were active throughout
the breadth of the governorate attacking Ramadi six out of seven days, Garma to
the northeast of Fallujah four times, Baghdadi to the northwest of Hit three
times, Amiriya Fallujah to the east by the Babil border and Haditha in the west
two times each, the Walid border point, and several other towns. January 20 saw
the heaviest fighting with a suicide car bomb followed by an infantry assault
on
Nikhaib,
a suicide truck bomb in
Albu Ghanim,
an attack upon
Abu Risha
with a suicide car bomb, followed by an attack on the town that got into Sheikh
Abu Risha’s compound and was able to destroy some of his buildings, and then an
attack upon
Ramadi’s
Howaz district with seven suicide car bombs, mortar fire, and another infantry
charge. Despite all the activity IS has made no real headway in Anbar since October.
It is still intent upon trying to take the remaining major cities, but has
failed to make much progress so far.
Government forces are still trying to clear the small towns
on the outskirts of IS controlled cities in the province. Many of these places
have changed hands over and over again for the last year. For example on
January 15
a security operation was launched in Albu Hayat. Two days later the village was
said to be
freed,
but then on
January
21 another sweep was started there. Unfortunately this has been the pattern
for the last year. Every major offensive launched by the ISF and tribes has
stalled with no real progress being made.
The Iraqi army has continued with their indiscriminate
shelling of Fallujah. The city was hit six out of seven days. That killed 22
people and wounded 81, which were roughly 40% of the total casualties for the
governorate. This artillery and mortar fire has no real effect upon the security
situation in the city, yet the ISF has been carrying it out since the city fell
taking a huge civilian toll.
Casualties Government Shelling In
Anbar Jan. 2015
Date
|
Location
|
Dead
|
Wounded
|
Jan 2
|
Fallujah
|
20
|
30
|
Jan 3
|
Fallujah
|
3
|
9
|
Jan 5
|
Fallujah
|
4
|
16
|
Jan 6
|
Fallujah
|
4
|
11
|
Total
|
-
|
31
|
66
|
Jan 9
|
Fallujah
|
3
|
9
|
Jan 10
|
Fallujah
|
3
|
14
|
Jan 11
|
Fallujah
|
3
|
7
|
Jan 12
|
Fallujah
|
11
|
20
|
Jan 13
|
Fallujah
|
13
|
18
|
Jan 14
|
Fallujah
|
13
|
17
|
Total
|
-
|
46
|
85
|
Jan 15
|
Fallujah
|
4
|
7
|
Jan 16
|
Fallujah
|
3
|
6
|
Jan 17
|
Fallujah
|
4
|
17
|
Jan 18
|
Fallujah
|
2
|
25
|
Jan 19
|
Fallujah
|
6
|
19
|
Jan 20
|
Fallujah
|
3
|
7
|
Total
|
Fallujah
|
22
|
81
|
In previous weeks the Islamic State was threatening
Muqtadiya in central Diyala. This caused a major displacement from the area.
From January 15-21 there were only two attacks there however. On
January
21, the ISF finally launched a much expected operation there. IS still has
many bases in Diyala’s east, and is now attempting to move into the center of
the province for the first time in several months. It’s yet to be seen whether
it will have any success or whether the government forces will be able to push
them back.
In January both the IS and peshmerga have been carrying out
operations in Ninewa. The insurgents attacked Sinjar four times, Mosul Dam,
Bartella, Bashiqa, and the Tal Afar area from January 15-21. The Islamic State
has also continued with its executions and intimidation tactics in the territory
it controls. On
January
15 four members of the Jabour tribe were killed in Qayara, and six houses
belonging to judges were
blown
up in Tal Afar. The next day five women were
executed
in Mosul, and then thirteen young men were
hung
for watching a soccer game in the city. Then on
January 17
eleven homes of police were detonated in Qayara, and 60 members of the ISF were
shot in the Mosul area on
January
20. The peshmerga have been slowly been taking back territory in Ninewa. On
January
21 they freed several villages in the west and are threatening to cut IS’s
supply lines to Syria. After the shock of losing Sinjar the Kurds have gone on
the offensive and taken back several small and large towns in the province. IS appears
to be ramping up its own operations now in an attempt to gain some of this
territory back.
A similar situation is playing out in Salahaddin. Despite recent
gains by pro-government forces IS is still able to attack throughout most of
the governorate. On
January
15 it attacked a checkpoint in Tarmiya in the south by Baghdad with a
suicide car bomb.
January
16 it hit a militia base in Hweish with another VBIED and the
Baiji refinery.
January 18
it attacked Yathrib in the southern Balad district, and Dujail in the north on
January
21. The ISF and militias are still trying to consolidate their recent gains
in Balad. On
January
15 for instance, it cleared Nibai for the second time. They also launched
new
security operations
during the week in Sayid Gharaib, Albu Nisan and Sur Nash. The situation in
Salahaddin is much like Ninewa. IS still controls large swaths of the province,
but has been losing areas and is now trying to gain back some of the momentum.
SOURCES
Alsumaria, "The killing five members of Daash in armed
clashes south of Tikrit," 1/21/15
- "The outcome of the bombing in central Baquba a boy
killed and 13 wounded," 1/15/15
Al Forat, "Anbar: ISF& volunteers completely
liberate Albu Hayat from ISIL," 1/17/15
Al Forat, "ISIL terrorists execute 4 men of Jabour
tribe in Nineveh," 1/15/15
- "Tikrit: ISF, volunteers entirely liberate Nibai area
from ISIL," 1/15/15
Kurd Press, "IS shoots 60 Iraqi forces in Nainawa: PUK
official tells Kurdpress," 1/20/15
Al Mada, "16 people injured in car bombing central
Baquba," 1/15/15
- "Daash blows up six houses belonging to judges in Tal
Afar," 1/15/15
- "Killing and wounding at least 13 people in a car
bomb south of Baghdad," 1/19/15
Mamoun, Abdelhak, "Anbar police repels ISIS' deadliest
attack in Ramadi," Iraqi News, 1/21/15
Mamuzini, Hazhar, "IS Hangs 13 Youths in Mosul For
Watching Soccer Game," Bas News, 10/18/15
- “Peshmerga Forces Take Control of Mosul – Tel Afar Road,”
Bas News, 1/22/15
Al Masalah, "A suicide car bomb blast in Tarmiya,"
1/15/15
NINA, "/3/ people killed and /6/ others wounded in the
east and south of Fallujah," 1/16/15
- "4 Security Elements Killed, 7 Others Injured In
Clashes With Daash In Balad," 1/18/15
- "The IS elements blew up /11/ homes belonging to officers
and volunteers in Nineveh police raining centers," 1/17/15
- "The IS executed five women in Mosul," 1/16/15
- "Two of awakening killed, 13 others wounded,
including a police, in a suicide attack north-east of Ramadi," 1/20/15
Radio Free Iraq, "15 January 2015," Daily Updates
from Anbar, 1/15/15
- "17 January 2015," Daily Updates from Iraq,
1/17/15
- "18 January 2015," Daily Updates from Anbar,
1/18/15
- "19 January 2015," Daily Updates from Anbar,
1/19/15
- "20 January 2015," Daily Updates from Anbar,
1/20/15
Al Rayy, "Martyrdom and wounding 21 police officers and
tribal fighters in suicide bombing east of Ramadi," 1/20/15
- "Martyrdom and wounding a number of elements of the
popular brigades coming from Karbala by a suicide attack in the area of Rahaliya,"
1/16/15
- "Protection Force at Baiji refinery repel an attack
by Daash and kill a number of them and burn two of their vehicles,"
1/16/15
Sarhan, Amre, "Joint forces kill 16 ISIS elements
southern Tikrit," Iraqi News, 1/15/15
Shafaq News, "Diyala police chief: Our forces besiege
the terrorists north of Muqdadiyah," 1/21/15
- "ISIS controls Abu Risha's host place and a suicide
bombing in Nikhaib," 1/20/15
