More Returns Leads To Slight Decline In Displaced In Iraq

Iraq witnessed another slight dip in the number of displaced. In August 2016 the International Organization of Migration registered 3,344,154 people. That was down from 3,369,252 the month before. There were many more that did not sign up with the government and non-governmental organizations.

The cause for the decline was a number of returns in Anbar and Baghdad. In the former almost 9,000 people went back to their homes, and in the latter over 44,000 returned mostly going back to Anbar. Roughly 2,000 also left Kirkuk and Dohuk. Salahaddin saw 31,590 new displaced, largely from Shirqat in the northern section of the province and from Hawija in southern Kirkuk, both of which are still under Islamic State control. In total, 852,390 people were recorded as returns in August, the largest amount so far in 2016. As more territory is freed from the militants more people will go back. On the other hand, with the Mosul offensive approaching the United Nations and others are expecting tens of thousands of people to flee.

Anbar was home to the most displaced with 627,078. That was followed by 476,988 people in Baghdad, 397,584 in Dohuk, 394,728 in Irbil, 380,034 in Kirkuk, 295,266 in Ninewa, 240,438 in Salahaddin, 166,032 in Sulaymaniya, 88,530 in Diyala, 68,262 in Karbala, 58,654 in Najaf, 52,314 in Babil, 24,816 in Wasit, 24,042 in Qadisiyah, 10,308, in Basra, 8,862 in Dhi Qar, 6,042 in Maysan, and 4,806 in Muthanna. Most of the war in Iraq has been in the west, center and north, which was where most of the displaced fled. The south took in many people in 2014, mostly from Anbar, but has not received many since then.

Anbar was the largest source of displaced people. 42% of the total, 1,389,078 came from that governorate. There were also 1,170,570 from Ninewa, 444,258 from Salahaddin, 134,352 from Kirkuk, 122,130 from Diyala, 48,228 from Baghdad, 31,314 from Babil, and 4,224 from Irbil. Ninewa, Salahaddin, Kirkuk and Diyala are all major battlefields. Most of the displaced from Baghdad came from the outer towns where most of the violence takes place. Babil has not had any fighting for months, but Jurf al-Sakhr was completely emptied of its inhabitants since it was liberated and there is no sign that they will be allowed back any time soon. Finally, there has been clashes in southern Irbil.

Displaced In Iraq 2016

Jan 3,320,286

Feb 3,343,776

Mar 3,417,768

Apr 3,332,820

May 3,306,258

Jun 3,320,274

Jul 3,369,252

Aug 3,344,154

Total Returns By Month 2016

January 534,048

February 557,400

March 553,104

April 656,778

May 726,336

June 754,158

July 796,758

August 852,390

Displaced By Province August 2016

Anbar 627,078

Baghdad 476,988

Dohuk 397,584

Irbil 394,728

Kirkuk 380,034

Ninewa 295,266

Salahaddin 240,438

Sulaymaniya 166,032

Diyala 88,530

Karbala 68,262

Najaf 58,654

Babil 52,314

Wasit 24,816

Qadisiyah 24,042

Basra 10,308

Dhi Qar 8,862

Maysan 6,042

Muthanna 4,806

Origins Of Displaced

Anbar 1,389,078 42% of total

Ninewa 1,170,570 35%

Salahaddin 444,258 13%

Kirkuk 134,3524%

Diyala 122,130 4%

Baghdad 48,228 1%

Babil 31,314 1%

Irbil 4,224 0%

Change In Displaced By Province From July to August 2016

Salahaddin 208,848 to 240,438 + 15%

Irbil 391,302 to 394,728 +1%

Ninewa 292,026 to 295,266 +1%

Kirkuk 381,858 to 380,034 0%

Dohuk 398,274 to 397,534 0%

Anbar 635,898 to 627,078 -1%

Baghdad 521,700 to 476,988 -9%