Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Security In Iraq 3rd Week Of March, 2015


Reported violence was slightly down in the third week of March, 2015 in Iraq. Attacks were roughly the same as the previous week, while casualties dropped. The Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) and Kurdish peshmerga continued their offensives in eastern Anbar and southern Kirkuk respectively, but the major operation in Tikrit stalled and has been on hold as reinforcements were called up, and a debate appeared to be underway between all the involved groups on how to proceed.

There were 141 security incidents reported in the press. The real number is much higher. That was very close to the previous week when there were 133, and down from the first week of the month when there were 172. That averaged out to 21.2 reported attacks per day, down from 23.3 in February, and 26.2 in January.

For the week Baghdad had the most incidents with 51, followed by 28 in Salahaddin, 20 in Anbar, 19 in Ninewa, 8 in Kirkuk, 7 in Diyala, 5 in Babil, and one each in Basra, Irbil and Maysan. Irbil was a rare occasion, and was the result of the Islamic State firing rockets into the province on March 15, but luckily nothing was hit. Basra was also struck by a truck bomb on March 18 killing 12 and wounding 30. This was the first time southern Iraq was hit by any type of vehicle borne bomb since Najaf at the end of October 2014.

Those attacks led to 299 deaths and 503 wounded. Again, the actual statistics are higher than what gets in the press. The dead broke down to 1 Sahwa, 8 Hashd al-Shaabi, 32 Peshmerga, 62 ISF, and 196 civilians, while the injured were 5 Sahwa, 36 Hashd, 50 Peshmerga, 58 ISF, and 354 civilians. By province that broke down to 92 killed in Salahaddin, 74 in Baghdad, 50 in Anbar, 37 in Ninewa, 24 in Kirkuk, 12 in Basra, 5 in Diyala, 4 in Babil, and one in Maysan. The third week’s totals were down from the previous one’s 348 killed and 656 injured.

For the month there have been an average of 48.5 killed per day and 83.1 wounded. That was down from February’s 61.7 dead and 95.8 injured, and January’s 74.4 fatalities and 93.3 wounded. This continued the trend of casualties declining since the summer.

Violence In Iraq By Week Jun. 2014-2015
Date
Incidents
Dead
Wounded
Jun 1-7
228
612
1,020
Jun 8-14
234
1,889
890
Jun 15-21
177
804
755
Jun 22-28
207
740
800
Jun 29-30
59
127
236
JUN
905
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
270
1,122
885
Aug 9-14
180
710
1,152
Aug 15-21
150
731
499
Aug 22-28
156
523
798
Aug 29-31
59
125
289
AUG
815
3,211
3,623
Sep 1-7
169
616
751
Sep 8-14
168
467
731
Sep 15-21
170
625
794
Sep 22-28
157
396
576
Sep 29-30
49
126
287
SEP
713
2,230
3,139
Oct 1-7
175
456
687
Oct 8-14
189
560
880
Oct 15-21
159
499
780
Oct 22-28
160
346
596 + 1,230
Oct 29-31
72
574
227
OCT
755
2,434
3,170 + 1,230
Nov 1-7
154
611
828
Nov 8-14
134
470
607
Nov 15-21
139
323
479
Nov 22-28
139
321
640
Nov 29-30
40
206
535
NOV
606
1,931
3,089
Dec 1-7
148
581
482
Dec 8-14
156
233 + 166
444 + 1,113
Dec 15-21
133
377
340
Dec 22-28
161
558
494
Dec 29-31
91
117
233
DEC
689
2,032
3,106
Jan 1-7
184
434
464
Jan 8-14
170
730
493
Jan 15-21
182
390
515
Jan 22-28
189
466
894
Jan 29-31
90
288
529
JAN
815
2,308
2,895
Feb 1-7
155
380
688
Feb 8-14
170
406
559
Feb 15-21
165
573
364
Feb 22-28
165
371
687 + 386
FEB
655
1,730
2,683
Mar 1-7
172
372
587
Mar 8-14
133
348
656
Mar 15-21
141
299
503

Violence By Province In Iraq March 2015
Province
Mar 1-7
Mar 8-14
Anbar
24 Incidents
71 Killed: 22 ISF, 31 Sahwa, 18 Civilians
77 Wounded: 31 ISF, 46 Civilians
14 Shootings
1 IED
1 Suicide Car Bomb
3 Mortars
1 Rocket
23 Incidents
58 Killed: 34 ISF, 1 Sahwa, 23 Civilians
147 Wounded: 26 ISF, 8 Sahwa, 113 Civilians
7 Shootings
1 IED
24 Suicide Car Bombs
1 Rocket
3 Mortars
Babil
5 Incidents
8 Killed: 1 Hashd, 7 Civilians
13 Wounded: 2 Hashd, 11 Civilians
1 Shooting
3 IEDs
1 Sticky Bomb
4 Incidents
8 Killed: 1 ISF, 7 Civilians
33 Wounded: 4 ISF, 29 Civilians
4 IEDs
1 Car Bomb
Baghdad
56 Incidents
75 Killed: 7 ISF, 4 Hashd, 5 Sahwa, 59 Civilians
229 Wounded: 16 ISF, 13 Sahwa, 16 Hashd, 184 Civilians
15 Shootings
30 IEDs
6 Sticky Bombs
1 Car Bomb
3 Mortars
2 Rockets
47 Incidents
88 Killed: 5 ISF, 83 Civilians
245 Wounded: 10 ISF, 1 US Soldier, 234 Civilians
15 Shootings
25 IEDs
4 Sticky Bombs
2 Car Bombs
1 Mortar
Basra
5 Incidents
4 Killed: 4 Civilians
3 Shootings
1 Sticky Bomb
-
Diyala
13 Incidents
17 Killed: 3 Hashd, 14 Civilians
23 Wounded: 3 ISF, 4 Hashd, 16 Civilians
6 Shootings
3 IEDs
3 Sticky Bombs
1 Car Bomb
2 Incidents
3 Killed: 2 ISF, 1 Civilian
3 Wounded: 3 ISF
1 Shooting
1 IED
Kirkuk
1 Incident
1 Killed: 1 ISF
1 Shooting
12 Incidents
103 Killed: 1 ISF, 23 Hashd, 26 Peshmerga, 53 Civilians
105 Wounded: 10 ISF, 5 Hashd, 87 Peshmerga, 3 Civilians
8 Shootings
1 IED
1 Suicide Bomber
4 Car Bombs
1 Mine
Ninewa
31 Incidents
120 Killed: 2 ISF, 118 Civilians
12 Wounded: 12 Civilians
17 Shootings
11 IEDs
20 Incidents
18 Killed: 1 ISF, 17 Civilians
10 Wounded: 1 Peshmerga, 9 Civilians
12 Shootings
5 IEDs
Salahaddin
37 Incidents
76 Killed: 24 ISF, 28 Hashd, 24 Civilians
233 Wounded: 54 ISF, 122 Hashd, 57 Civilians
18 Shootings
14 IEDs
1 Suicide Bomber
6 Suicide Car Bombs
1 Car Bomb
3 Mortars
25 Incidents
70 Killed: 61 ISF, 3 Hashd, 6 Civilians
113 Wounded: 98 ISF, 6 Hashd, 9 Civilians
9 Shootings
12 IEDs
3 Suicide Bombers
3 Suicide Car Bombs

Province
Mar 15-21
Anbar
20 Incidents
50 Killed: 5 ISF, 45 Civilians
80 Wounded: 8 ISF, 72 Civilians
9 Shootings
2 Suicide Bombers
3 Suicide Car Bombs
4 Mortars
2 Rockets
Babil
5 Incidents
4 Killed: 2 ISF, 2 Civilians
10 Wounded: 6 ISF, 2 Hashd, 2 Civilians
3 Shootings
1 IED
1 Sticky Bomb
Baghdad
51 Incidents
74 Killed: 6 ISF, 1 Sahwa, 1 Hashd, 66 Civilians
254 Wounded: 21 ISF, 5 Sahwa, 228 Civilians
13 Shootings
34 IEDs
4 Sticky Bombs
Basra
1 Incident
12 Killed: 12 Civilians
30 Wounded: 30 Civilians
1 Truck Bomb
Diyala
7 Incidents
5 Killed: 5 Civilians
4 Shootings
3 IEDs
Irbil
1 Incident
1 Rocket
Kirkuk
8 Incidents
24 Killed: 20 Peshmerga, 1 Hashd, 3 Civilians
59 Wounded: 50 Peshmerga, 8 Hashd, 1 Civilian
6 Shootings
2 IEDs
Maysan
1 Incident
1 Killed: 1 ISF
1 Shooting
Ninewa
19 Incidents
37 Killed: 12 Peshmerga, 25 Civilians
9 Shootings
4 IEDs
Salahaddin
28 Incidents
92 Killed: 48 ISF, 6 Hashd, 38 Civilians
70 Wounded: 23 ISF, 26 Hashd, 21 Civilians
15 Shootings
6 IEDs
3 Suicide Bombers
2 Suicide Car Bombs
1 Mortar
1 Rocket

Car Bombs In Iraq March 2015
Date
Location
Dead
Wounded
Mar 1



Mar 2
East of Samarra, Salahaddin
4

Mar 3
South of Tikrit, Salahaddin
4
12
Mar 4



Mar 5
Abu Dishir, Baghdad
Alam & Tal Ksaiba x3, Salahaddin
7
37
Mar 6



Mar 7
Bastan, Anbar
Bani Saad, Diyala
Tuz Kharmato, Salahaddin
13
47
Total
10
28
96
Mar 8
Zoba, Anbar
Mahmudiya, Babil
Jamila, Baghdad
10
32
Mar 9
Mullah Ali x3, Kirkuk
5
30
Mar 10
Mullah Abdullah, Kirkuk
Baiji, Salahaddin
2
16
Mar 11
Ramadi x17, Anbar
Hurriya, Baghdad
Diom, Salahaddin
29
79
Mar 12
Saqlawiya, Anbar
3
5
Mar 13
Diom, Salahaddin
6
11
Mar 14
Ramadi x5, Anbar
11
14
Total
34
66
187
Mar 15
Ramadi, Anbar
5
7
Mar 16



Mar 17
Ramadi, Anbar


Mar 18
Um Qasr, Basra
12
30
Mar 19



Mar 20
Huiysh, Salahaddin

6
Mar 21
Ramadi, Anbar
Thar Thar, Salahaddin
2
8
Total
6
19
51


After a yearly high of 34 vehicle borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs) in the second week of March, there were just six the third week. Ramadi continued to be the main target with three detonating there from March 15-21. Just like previous weeks as well the security forces and Hashd were the favorite targets with five out of six aimed at them. There were far more VBIEDs that were launched by the Islamic State but were destroyed before reaching their target. The totals of 19 dead and 51 wounded from the 6 car bombs were also probably low as complete numbers for some of the attacks were not reported.

Just like the previous week both the government and Islamic State were carrying out major operations in Anbar. The Islamic State continued its heavy attacks in Ramadi. The government center and Howaz district were assaulted several times during the week. For example, March 15 Howaz was hit by a suicide car bomb on an army base, followed by an infantry assault, along with an attack on the northeast and mortar fire. The next day, the northwest was hit, then the Andalus and Dhobat sections were struck by 2 suicide bombers, a suicide car bomb, followed by an infantry attack on March 17. The government forces on the other hand, were focused upon carrying out the second phase of its clearing sweep through the Garma area. Several villages were cleared in the process. This operation was started in an attempt to end indirect fire on Baghdad’s western suburbs. Despite all the activity the overall situation in the province has been deadlocked for months. IS has made some small advances in Ramadi over the last few months, but many neighborhoods remain contested. The government forces remained undermanned as well, unable to hold territory that it clears.

Baghdad had almost the same number of casualties the third week of March as the second. There were 74 dead and 254 wounded from March 15-21 compared to 88 killed and 245 injured from March 8-14. Since the start of the month there has been 89 improvised explosive devices. These are the major threats to the province accounting for most of the casualties.

Starting last week the Kurdish peshmerga moved out of the disputed territories into southern Kirkuk in a supporting operation to the one in Tikrit, Salahaddin. The Kurds have made steady progress with a number of towns in the Daquq and Bashir area taken. The Hashd forces have also become involved in these maneuvers. The ultimate goal is to take Hawija, which remains the main insurgent stronghold in the governorate.

The major news however was in Salahaddin where the Tikrit operation was put on hold towards the end of the second week of March. The official reason was for civilians to exit the battle zone and for reinforcements to be called up. There were also plenty of reports about divisions between the Iranians, pro-Iranian Hashd groups, the ISF and Baghdad over strategy and tactics. One is over the role of the United States led Coalition. The Americans have not been involved because of the large role played by Iran, which was Tehran’s plan. The Iranians along with their allies amongst the Hashd wanted to show that they could defeat the insurgents without the Coalition. As casualties have mounted and IED fields and snipers have slowed the advance the ISF have been calling for Washington’s help. The head of the Samarra Operations Command for example, General Abdul Wahab al-Saadi was quoted in the press on March 15 saying that he asked the Defense Ministry to request Coalition air strikes. Badr Organization head Hadi Ameri in turn, criticized the army for asking for that help. Prime Minister Haider Abadi is said to support the military in this debate. Iran and the Hashd are also reportedly pushing for a head on assault of Tikrit, while Baghdad and the ISF are looking for an alternative that could reduce casualties. In the meantime Tikrit remains surrounded, and when these differences are resolved the city will fall. The geopolitics of the situation need to be resolved first.

SOURCES

Abdul-Zahra, Qassim and Yacoub, Sameer, “Iraqi commander slams US, hails Iran in fight against ISIS in Tikrit,” Assocaited Press, 3/14/15

AIN, "Urgent: 6 volunteers injured in suicide attack in Samara," 3/21/15

Beale, Jonathan, “Battle for Tikrit key to Iraq’s future,” BBC, 3/23/15

Dunlop, W.G., “Iraqi army says coalition raids needed in Tikrit battle,” Agence France Presse, 3/15/15

Al Forat, "Initial Count: Basra truck bombing kills, injures 43 civilians," 3/18/15

Iraq Times, "Salahuddin operations: the martyrdom and wounding of seven of the popular crowd in clashes with Daash," 3/21/15

Al Mada, “Abadi plans to unify the crowd under his leadership and efforts to engage the international coalition in the battle for Tikrit,” 3/21/15

Morris, Loveday, “Iraqi offensive for Tikrit stalls as casualties mount,” Washington Post, 3/16/15

NINA, "Breaking News..Military Operations To Liberate Karma Area Kicked Off," 3/15/15,
- "The death toll of victims of the indiscriminate shelling of Ramadi by the IS rose to 16 martyrs and wounded," 3/15/15
- "A number of areas liberated in Karma district of Anbar province," 3/21/15
- "Security forces repel an attack by Daash in central Ramadi," 3/17/15
- "A soldier wounded in center of Ramadi," 3/21/15

Prothero, Mitchell, “Operation to retake Tikrit from Islamic State stalled by heavy casualties, discord,” McClatchy Newspapers, 3/20/15

Radio Free Iraq, "15 March 2015," Daily Updates from Anbar, 3/15/15
- "16 March 2015," Daily Updates from Anbar, 3/16/15

Al Rayy, "Daash attack thwarted killing six of them in Ramadi," 3/15/15

Salih, Mohammed, “Iran gathers power in Iraq as US further sidelined,” Al Monitor, 3/17/15

Shafaq News, "ISIS bombarding the western borders of Erbil with Katyusha mortar," 3/15/15

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