Weekly Iraq .Xplored report - 07 Mar 2020 Prepared by Risk Analysis Team, Iraq garda.com - Ziyen Energy
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Weekly Iraq .Xplored report 07 Mar 2020 Prepared by Risk Analysis Team, Iraq garda.com Confidential and proprietary © GardaWorld
Weekly Iraq .Xplored Report
07 Mar 2020
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS .......................................................................................................................................... 2
ACTIVITY MAP .................................................................................................................................................... 3
OUTLOOK ............................................................................................................................................................. 4
Short term outlook ............................................................................................................................................. 4
Medium to long term outlook ............................................................................................................................ 5
SIGNIFICANT EVENTS ...................................................................................................................................... 6
PM designate Allawi withdraws ........................................................................................................................ 6
Kata’ib Hezbollah issue ultimatum to US contractors ................................................................................... 6
THREAT MATRIX ................................................................................................................................................ 6
OVERVIEW............................................................................................................................................................ 7
Political ................................................................................................................................................................ 7
Security ............................................................................................................................................................... 7
Humanitarian ...................................................................................................................................................... 8
WEEKLY OPERATIONAL A SSESSMENT .................................................................................................... 9
Countrywide Military/Security Situation .......................................................................................................... 9
ACRONYM LIST ................................................................................................................................................ 15
GARDAWORLD INFORMATION SERVICES .............................................................................................. 16
GARDAWORLD.................................................................................................................................................. 16
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Weekly Iraq .Xplored Report
07 Mar 2020
OUTLOOK
Short term outlook
▪ Health related concerns as a result of COVID-19 have been at the forefront of media reporting throughout Iraq.
Official figures though regularly updated are likely to lag behind the situation on the ground and as such, cases
are expected to increase in the short term. The fatality rate remains low with the elderly and immunosuppressed
individuals in higher risk categories. As Turkish authorities have banned entry for individuals travelling from Iraq
within 14 days of arrival it is a realistic possibility that air travel will be further restricted should cases
exponentially increase. However, the quarantine period as directed by WHO is 14 days and these restrictions
are likely to be lifted as soon as practicable to maintain commercial capability.
▪ There has been an overall decline in activity between US and Iranian interests in recent reporting the most
recent incident likely attributed to Iranian aligned militias being an IDF attack against the IZ on Mar 05. It is
almost certain that tensions will remain elevated with additional reports of harassing IDF against US interests
but aligned militias, but not directly under instruction from Iran. A period of friction between US and Iran
culminated in a US led strike on Qassem Soleimani, the Commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards
Corps (IRGC) Quds Force and Deputy Commander of the Popular Mobilisation Force (PMF), Abu Mahdi al-
Muhandis, who was also the leader of Kata’ib Hezbollah IVO Baghdad International Airport on Jan 03. Likely
inhibited by the threat of swift retribution from the US it is unlikely that Iran will conduct direct strikes on US
assets in Iraq. However, it is probable that Iran will continue to use its proxy-militias in Iraq to launch periodic
IDF and asymmetric attacks against US and western interests in Iraq and the wider Middle East, thereby
affording Tehran a degree of non-culpability should a successful attack by the militias be forthcoming.
Furthermore, it is a realistic possibility that rogue factions of the militia will act of their own volition to carry out
attacks, genuinely independent of their official chain of command. The threat to US and western assets inside
Iraq from Iranian sponsored Shia militia groups therefore remains heightened in the short to medium term.
▪ Fatal demonstrations that occurred throughout the country since protests started on 01 October 2019 have to
date left over 550 people dead and as many of 24,000 civilians injured. On Feb 03, President Barham Salih
named Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi as the country's new Prime Minister. While initially well received among
political parties, he then lost a considerable amount of political support- struggling to establish backing for
parliament to pass his government choices. Following three postponements of the parliamentary vote to pass
his cabinet choices- Allawi resigned in a letter to Salih on March 02, alleging corruption and sectarianism were
his main hurdles in passing a cabinet. As a result, political progress in pursuit of a new government and early
elections has stalled as Salih is now forced to choose a new PM designate. MPs reportedly discussed
alternative individuals prior to Allawi’s resignation. Should a party affiliated politician step into the role of PM it
is highly likely that they will similarly be rejected among protesters. As anti-establishment protests persist
demonstrators have continued to become involved in violent clashes anger appears focused not only on the
government but also the various militias. It’s highly likely that there will be intermittent flare ups of violence from
militia groups as they attempt to assert dominance over the protest movement and crack down on potential
escalatory behaviour resorting to use of force. That said, overall attendance at demonstrations has gradually
decreased since October 2019 indicating a loss of traction for the protest movement.
▪ Although defeated militarily, IS continues to pose a serious and long-term security threat in Iraq, especially in
the northern provinces and Anbar, where high levels of asymmetric activity continue. The US led coalition’s
recent pause on supporting IS operations and the tactical change in focus towards Iranian aligned PMUs has
resulted in an increase in IS reporting in northern Iraq since January. It is probable that the temporary reduction
in coalition ISR assets targeting IS cells emboldened tactical commanders to consolidate territory and attempt
to expand resupply routes and recruitment. As of early February, the coalition had started providing air support
again to the ISF. The Iraqi government’s inability to function continues to have a detrimental impact on ISF
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operations enabling further PMU autonomy, exacerbating the marginalization of the Sunni population. The
result of this will likely see IS increase the sophistication of their attacks. There remains an enduring, though
managed, threat by IS in Baghdad but IS activity tends to be focused in the northern parts of the Baghdad
Province IVO Tarmiyah which combined with the effectiveness of the ISF on checkpoints entering Baghdad,
likely reduce overall intent and capability.
Medium to long term outlook
▪ Despite ongoing counter insurgency operations, sectarian violence can be expected to continue in rural areas
of Northern Iraq which remain permissive to IS operations, including Nineveh, Salah al-Din, Diyala and
southwestern Kirkuk. Attacks will continue to target security checkpoints and outpost, especially in Sunni
dominated areas controlled by Shia dominated security forces.
▪ Islamic State activity will continue to dominate security reporting with a focus on the potential resurgence of an
insurgent campaign in northern and western Iraq. Despite ongoing ISF efforts to clear remaining IS pockets,
the group retains a degree of freedom of movement in the desert regions of Anbar, near the Syrian border, and
along the Hamrin Mountains.
▪ Iraq still faces enormous hurdles with parts of the country still in ruins. Despite an estimated economic growth
of 5.1%, Iraq still has approximately 1.4 million internally displaced residents and regular failures in the provision
of basic services- particularly during the higher demand summer months. More significantly, the expansion of
militias across the country poses a threat. Shiite militias, feeling they deserve credit for “defeating” IS, are loath
to leave Sunni and Yezidi areas and their presence fuels resentment with Kurdish, Sunni and Yezidi civilians.
Despite talks of reintegrating them into the Iraqi army in pursuit of legitimacy this will likely be rebuffed by militia
leaders and threatens years of effort to depoliticize the military. Despite protests calling for reform and a more
nationalist government Iran has an inordinate amount of influence over the political and security landscape by
funding militias and political groups. This is a significant destabilizing factor and a path to further internal conflict
in the country, as Sunni and Kurdish minorities are highly unlikely to rally around a united Iraq if Iran perceived
as a key influencer.
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SIGNIFICANT EVENTS
PM designate Allawi withdraws
The Iraqi Parliament postponed the parliamentary vote on Prime Minister designate Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi’s
cabinet choices on Mar 01 following a reported lack of quorum. Local news reports stated that 108 politicians
attended the session- however, members of key blocs including Sunni and Kurdish members reportedly refused
to attend due to ongoing political disputes among representatives. This is the third time the vote had been
postponed. Late that evening Allawi withdrew from his role as PM alleging corruption, sectarianism and ethnic
splits caused the vote to fail in a letter submitted to President Barham Salih. Muqtada al-Sadr was one of the first
among political representatives to respond to the withdrawal and was largely supportive of Allawi’s decision-
claiming that he did it out of love for Iraq and supported Allawi’s statement that corruption was a key obstacle to
the passing of the cabinet- at the loss of the Iraqi people. Following this announcement, ex-PM Adil Abdul Mahdi
announced his voluntary absence from his role as caretaker PM.
Kata’ib Hezbollah issue ultimatum to US contractors
Kata’ib Hezbollah security official Abu Ali al-Askari issued a statement on Twitter warning Iraqi contractors to cease
working with the US. Giving a deadline of Mar 15, the statement specifically refers to Iraqis within the MOI and
CTS to also end co-operation with the US and for public officials not to meet with the leaders of the ‘American
enemy.’ Although vague, the statement says if they don’t comply “they will bear the responsibility for their stance
of reluctance and stubbornness before God and the people.” The twitter account was suspended two days after
the announcement. The statement by al-Askari follows on from increasingly hostile statements by the Harakat al-
Nujaba PMF faction in recent weeks. Iranian aligned PMF factions had previously united in the wake of Soleimani
and Muhandis’ deaths, stating they were working together to politically end US presence in Iraq.
THREAT MATRIX
Region Political Terrorism Militancy Crime K&R
KRG* Moderate Low Moderate Low Low
North** Moderate High-Extreme High High High
Moderate-
Baghdad Moderate-High Moderate Moderate Moderate
High
Moderate-
Anbar Moderate High High High
High
South*** Moderate Low Moderate Moderate Moderate
Threat Scale Minimal Low Moderate High Extreme
* KRG – Dohuk, Erbil & Sulaymaniyah
** North – Nineveh, Salah ad-Din, Kirkuk & Diyala
*** South – Babil, Wasit, Karbala, Najaf, Diwaniyah, Dhi Qar, Muthanna, Maysan & Basra
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OVERVIEW
Political
Masoud Barzani hails unified Kurdish effort in rejecting Allawi
Former KRG President Masoud Barzani has thanked Kurdish political parties for their part in preventing former
PM-designate Mohammed Allawi from achieving a vote of confidence in federal parliament. Barzani highlighted
the unified Kurdish front as “a historic gain for the people of Kurdistan and source of appreciation.” Allawi withdrew
his nomination on March 01 in response to the being unable to gather the required quorum in parliament to vote
on his proposed cabinet.
Former PM proposes ‘solution’ to political crisis
Head of the Nasr coalition Haider al-Abadi issued a statement with guidelines for what he proposes as a ‘solution’
to the current political instability. Al-Abadi presented the concept of a ‘mini’ government which would operate for
one year and would include representatives from the demonstrative movement, UNAMI, and the current caretaker
government. He asked for the parties to “show wisdom and a spirit of compromise” for the initiative to achieve any
progress. The temporary government would operate to cover the transitional period and would be given the
responsibility of ensuring armed factions are centrally controlled by the state, holding violent individuals from the
protest movement accountable, and guaranteeing that political decision making is conducted in the public interest-
away from party alignment. He also addressed the issue of minority parties and their refusal to rally around
previous PM designate, Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi, stating that “the prime minister is obliged to form a government
away from hateful partisan quotas while preserving the representation of national societal diversity” indicating an
intention to ensure appropriate representation of the various groups despite the opposing claims.
Security
Turkey announces suspension of flights into Iraq
Turkey has announced a series of measures aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19 which will affect travel
in and out of Iraq. Turkish Airlines flights in and out of Iraq and the Kurdistan region have been suspended until
March 10 according a Turkish Airlines announcement. They also announced the closure of the Ibrahim Khalil
border crossing into Iraq. Despite the closures, the health ministry stated that Turkish nationals, and those involved
with aid delivery will be permitted to cross. The KRG has also announced new measures including reducing
working hours for public officials for the next ten days.
Anbar PMF Operations Command calls for GOI intervention in operations
Anbar PMF operations Commander, Qasim Musleh has condemned the arrests of PMF members and leaders by
US forces during counter insurgency operations in the province. Musleh urged the Iraqi Government to “stop the
cowardly, arbitrary arrests of the [PMF] symbols from the Anbar tribes which stood against IS” and alleged that the
US forces came to the country under the “pretext of training” but indicated that Iraqi forces are now strong enough
to conduct operations without international involvement. Additionally, Musleh specifically highlighted the arrest of
Sheikh Maad al-Ubaidi on Feb 23 who was ostensibly arrested under Article IV terrorism charges. According to
the Commander, al-Ubaidi played a key role in the fight against insurgency in the province while maintaining a
strong anti-US stance. Shortly after the statement was released, al-Ubaidi was reportedly released.
US military contractor arrested in Erbil
Media outlets have reported that a 61-year-old woman, Mariam Thompson, who was working as a US military
linguist contractor, has been arrested in Kurdistan on charges of leaking classified information. The affidavit states
she accessed 57 classified files, including biographical information and photographs of human sources. The US
alleges Thompson passed on information to a Lebanese national who has extensive links to Lebanese Hezbollah.
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Humanitarian
Iraq repatriates 82 children to Azerbaijan
The Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs have announced the repatriation of 82 children to Azerbaijan who were
previously imprisoned with their mothers. The statement released by the ministry claimed the mothers had links to
IS and will remain incarcerated in Iraq. Spokesman for the ministry, Ahmed al-Sahaf also stated that 828 children
of different nationalities had been returned to their respective countries.
Iraq Government announce additional border restrictions
The Iraqi government have announced that Iraqi citizens will be given until Mar 15 to return from Iran after which
all border outlets will be closed with the exception of Baghdad and Basra Airports. Despite initial announcements
of border closures in Iraq this was reportedly conducted at the discretion of provincial leadership with Shalamcheh,
Basra and Zerbatiyah, Wasit BXPs remaining open with Iran for commercial operations. Following continued
announcements of the spread of COVID-19 throughout Iraq, a federal committee was formed to implement
necessary measures regarding border closures.
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WEEKLY OPERATIONAL ASSESSMENT
Countrywide Military/Security Situation
Northern Provinces
The Kurdistan region has had another subdued week, with reports dominated by COVID-19 prevention measures
and reports. There were two protests in Erbil reported this week, on Feb 27 bus drivers protested after their garage
was closed by its private owner and on Mar 03 a separate protest was conducted by homebuyers and investors
at Erbil’s Korean Village due to a lack of a construction progress. Two separate security force operations resulted
in the arrest of two suspects in possession of five kilograms of heroin, an unquantified sum of crystal meth, opium,
and counterfeit money and another attempting to smuggle 10 kgs of narcotics to Turkey. There has been a
continuation of Turkish airstrikes across KR-I this week, on March 03, a Turkish airstrike killed nine PKK militants
in the Qandil Mountains and on Mar 04 Turkish airstrikes killed four PKK militants in the Avashin region of Dahuk
and five others in Hakurk, Erbil province.
On Mar 02 in Sulaymaniyah a group of fifteen people were arrested and charged with human trafficking by the
security forces in Sulaimaniyah. The group had crossed into the Kurdistan Region from Iran, according to the
Sulaimaniyah General Security Directorate. Sulaymaniyah now has eight recorded cases of COVID-19 and are
continuing to announce new measures to prevent further spread. There were two SAF incidents this week, both
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attributed to social/tribal conflict. On the afternoon of Mar 03 in Halabja, south east of Sulaymaniyah, a woman
was wounded in a SAF attack at a public market and on Mar 04 north of Sulaymaniyah, two tribes exchanged SAF
outside the civil court, resulting in one Kurdish security officer being killed.
Reporting from Nineveh this week was highlighted by a large scale joint PMF/ISF operation targeting IS cells and
a series of IEDs targeting the PMF. There were four separate IS attributed IED strikes against PMF in Nineveh,
including three separate strikes in al-Hadhar, south of Mosul between Mar 02 and Mar 04 resulting in the death of
three PMF members and wounding three others. On March 02, PMF 15, 25, 44 Bdes and Iraqi Army units
supported by helicopters started a large-scale military operation in the desert areas located between Nineveh,
Salah al-Din and Anbar provinces, to eliminate IS sleeper cells.
After a reduced period of reporting Kirkuk has recorded several IS attacks against local security forces this week.
Two IS SAF attacks were recorded on Feb 28, both in Daquq district, that resulting in the death of one IA soldier
and a tribal militia member. The same day, in Rashad sub-district of Hawijah, an IED detonated on a federal police
patrol killing two policemen. Additionally, several IS members in Dibis opened fire against a PMF checkpoint, killing
one ISF member and near Ali Awa village, Makhmour district, two IEDs detonated on vehicles of off-duty Sunni
tribesmen wounding four men. On Feb 28 in Hawijah a booby-trapped device detonated inside a house Iraqi police
were clearing injuring six and the following day, in the same area IS gunmen shelled federal police posts with
mortar rounds killing one and wounding five policemen. Further IS attacks included an IED detonation against an
IA patrol near Makhmour killing two and four ISF members were wounded in a separate IED attack in al-Haditha.
Outside of a single coalition airstrike near Hawijah on Feb 29, there has been no large scale ISF operations this
week.
Salah al-din’s reporting this week was dominated by IS attacks against security forces on Feb 28 and 29. On Feb
28 in the Himreen Heights, east of Tikrit, an IED detonated on an oil police patrol killing one and wounding four
others. Separately in Fat'ha, north east of Baiji, three PMF members were killed and five wounded when multiple
IEDs detonated on their convoy on the Baiji-Kirkuk Road. On Feb 29 in Jellam, north east of Samarra, IS gunmen
attacked a PMF post with SAF and HGs killing two and wounding two PMF members. On Mar 04, PMF 315 Bde
(Peace Brigades) launched a security operation in the villages of Al-Athbah, Al-Rawashid, Daghara and Al-Shatit
in Is'haq sub-district, Balad, to eliminate IS sleeper cells.
ISF and PMF conducted multiple operations in Diyala this week likely in response to the growing IS SAF and PSAF
attacks recorded in previous weeks. Units from the PMF Badr Organisation conducted two operations resulting in
the removal of planted IEDs and destruction of two IS safe houses in the Khanaqin district and Lake Hamrin
respectively. There were also joint ISF/PMF operation announced on Mar 01 that resulted in a series of arrests of
suspected IS militants and safehouses being destroyed in the Buhriz sub-district and the al-Abbarah sub-district,
IVO Baqubah. In relation to incident reporting, on Mar 03 a farmer was killed in an IED detonation in the al-Abbarah
sub-district, Baqubah. A separate IS SAF attack was reported against other civilians on Mar 04, when two
fishermen were reportedly executed at Lake Hamrin. There were two recorded IS attacks targeting security forces.
Deferred reporting from Feb 27 in al-Adhaim sub-district, north of Baqubah, IS gunmen attacked an IA thermal
camera observation post with SAF destroying the cameras and killing one soldier and wounding another. On March
04, one ISF member was killed and another was wounded in an IS PSAF attack that targeted a security checkpoint
near the village of al-Islah, Jalawla sub-district of Khanaqin.
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Anbar Province
During the reporting period there was an IDF attack on Mar 02, three Katyusha rockets reportedly landed
approximately 1km from the police station in the Haqlaniyah, Haditha district, two of the devices detonated without
causing casualties while the third was subsequently defused by ISF EOD without incident. Illustrating the enduring
tension between security forces and insurgent cells is deferred reporting from Feb 29 whereby a clash was
recorded between PMF and IS in Karma resulting in the death of five IS fighters and one PMF member and a
similar incident in Zejalba village, north of Fallujah on Mar 02 whereby a militia member was killed and another
was wounded. These exchanges reportedly followed counter insurgency clearance operations which have
continually featured in reporting. During more subdued reporting on March 04, ISF arrested an IS IED expert in
Qaim and the following day there were multiple arrests under Article IV terrorism charges in Rutbah, Haqlaniyah
in Haditha.
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Capital Region (Including Baghdad City)
There were two IDF incidents targeting the International Zone, central Baghdad during the week. The first, at
0035hrs on Mar 02 with two rockets landing IVO the Crossed Swords Monument and the second at 2205hrs on
Mar 05 with one rocket landing in a similar area and the second in the Tigris river. Both incidents reportedly
originated from eastern Baghdad City, however, there were no reported casualties in either instance. Eastern
Baghdad contributed to the majority of explosive incident reporting attributed to personal and criminal activity.
Belated reporting from Feb 29 recorded an IED detonation outside a liquor store in Mashtal and on Mar 04 an IED
was thrown at an ISF member’s residence in Kamaliyah. Other than these criminal activity attributed incidents, low
yield explosives featured in demonstrative reporting with an IED targeting demonstrators in Khalani Square on Mar
01. SAF similarly continued to feature, often targeting demonstrators and civilian residencies. On Mar 02 and the
following day there was a return of shotgun incidents at Khalani Square, directed at both civilians and ISF. Despite
condemnation from the UN in mid February, unidentified gunmen are expected to continue these targeted attacks
at protest sites in Tahrir and Khalani square.
Baghdad province demonstrated the typical peaks and troughs of hostile incident reporting. The west and northern
population centres remain prominent areas for reporting, indeed a SAF incident was recorded on Mar 03 in Abu
Ghraib wounding a civilian. In relation to explosive reporting, on March 04 in Sabe Al Bour, north of Baghdad, an
IED detonated on a PMF vehicle wounding four militia members. On March 03 in Taji, north of Baghdad, IS gunmen
set fire to the residence of an ISF officer.
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Southern Provinces
Demonstrations remained a prominent feature in reporting for the southern provinces, while there was an enduring
presence of reformist driven protests in support of civil activism in Baghdad resulting in attendees burning tyres in
Hillah on Mar 03, there were also single-issue protests recorded in the south. Elsewhere in Hillah protesters
denounced the governor's decision, Hassan Mandeel, to convert a guesthouse in the area into a quarantine site
for those infected with COVID-19 on Mar 02. Similarly in Wasit, on March 02, dozens of temporary teachers
demonstrated outside the Education Directorate in Kut city, demanding permanent employment.
In Najaf, recording featured hostile incidents which were attributed to ongoing political instability. Late on Mar 01,
unidentified individuals detonated an IED outside the personal residence of Nasr aligned MP and former Najaf
Governor, Adnan al-Zurfi. Private security guards at the property responded to attackers with SAF but there were
no reports of injuries and the assailants absconded. A similar incident was recorded on Mar 03 involving a sound
bomb IED on an MP’s residence. There was also an abduction in the evening of March 02, several suspected
Sadrist followers abducted a female activist named Rana Abdul Halim al-Sumaidaie in the al-Hannan area of Najaf
city. The incident is believed to be in response to a video published by the victim accusing mainstream leaders of
corruption.
In Diwaniyah protest reporting involved deliberate disruption with attendees burning tyres and blocking Routes
Madrid and Jackson on Mar 01 to demand the resignation of Governor Zuhair al-Shalaan. There was also an
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incident involving a security member on Mar 03 who was wounded in an exchange of gunfire during an arrest
operation of a suspect wanted for his involvement in the murder of an oil policeman in the Zeitoun district of
Diwaniyah, ISF subsequently arrested the target at a security checkpoint elsewhere in the city after initially
absconding.
In Dhi Qar, protest reporting was largely comprised of employment related grievances with rallies on Mar 02
involving university graduates outside the Education Directorate in Nasiriyah and one the following day on Mar 03
involving temporary workers outside the General Directorate for the Production of Electric Energy. Additionally, in
Nasiriyah city on Feb 29 in Rifa'i, north of Nasiriyah, a sound bomb IED detonated at the protest site. There was
also a SAF incident recorded early on March 05, a conflict between clans of al-Ghazzi tribe erupted in Nasiriyah
city, near the al-Hout prison, no casualties were reported as a truce was subsequently reached. The incident is
thought to be related to a land ownership dispute, but it prompted media reporting that the SAF was directed at al-
Hout prison, this was robustly denied by security forces.
Maysan remained relatively subdued this week with hostile reports coming from deferred reporting and more recent
incidents attributed to protests. On Feb 27, a low-yield IED detonated outside the house of the former director of
the Iraqi Correctional Service ICS named Kati al-Jaberi, in Sector 30, Amarah, causing material damage but no
casualties. On Feb 28, a four-year-old boy was reportedly killed when a tribal SAF exchange erupted at an
unspecified location in Maysan province.
There were few hostile SIGACTs in Muthanna this week with employment related reporting comprising the majority
of incidents. That said, there was one murder incident whereby a man was stabbed to death following a personal
dispute in Samawah on Mar 01. Although an explosive incident was recorded in Badia on Mar 03 killing a 13yo
shepherd this was reportedly a legacy munition.
Overall Activity in Basra this week was slightly reduced though some hostile incidents were recorded. In Hartha
on Mar 03 and in al-Faw on Mar 04 proactive police operations were the likely driver of the reduction and shift in
activity. Security operations reportedly resulted in the arrest of 200 wanted and suspected individuals – the majority
of these linked to criminality, drug trafficking and the possession of illegal weapons. Two of the three SAF incidents
targeted reasonably high-profile individuals. On the evening of Mar 03 a tribal Sheikh and senior activist was
gunned down in Hartha, the gunmen hitting the target with at least 50 rounds. Despite the Sheikh being an avid
supporter of the ongoing anti-government protests, the event is being linked by local police to a longstanding tribal
dispute. The Garamsha tribe and the al-Halfi tribe have conducted tit-for-tat tribal murders over the years, the
activity initially linked to a land and livestock dispute, but now likely driven by tribal honour. On Mar 04 a retired
Ba’athist teacher was shot and killed, when gunmen targeted his vehicle in the al-Faw district, south of Basra (the
man’s wife and son who were in the vehicle at the time, sustained injuries after the vehicle overturned – the teacher
had been driving when he was fatally shot). Despite this, protest activity continues at the Navy Roundabout sit-in
site in Maqal, with students and part-time demonstrators visiting the site most evenings in support. The students
at dedicated demo sites around the south and in Baghdad refuse to halt their activities despite calls to abstain from
the Ministry of Health – over fears that the COVID-19 virus could spread through the camps. In relation to the virus
– some mosques in Basra have witnessed a reduction in the numbers attending prayers. Although there are still
no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Basra – 13 out of 14 possible cases being investigated in Basra were
diagnosed as clear on Mar 03. A number of minor employment related protests were recorded this period as typical
for the province– all were peaceful and passed without major incident.
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ACRONYM LIST
AII - Area of Intelligence Interest MoO - Ministry of Oil
AKA - Also Known As MoT - Ministry of Transportation
AO - Area of Operations MSR - Main Supply Route
APC - Armored Personnel Carrier NFDK - No Further Details Known
APIED - Anti-Personnel IED NGO - Non-Governmental Organization (aid/charity)
AQ - Al-Qaeda NSTR - Nothing Significant To Report
AT - Anti-Tank OCG - Organized Crime Group
ATGW - Anti Tank Guided Weapon OPF - Oil Protection Force
AVIED - Anti-Vehicle IED PAX - Person, Persons or Passenger
BBIED - Body Borne IED PBIED - Person-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (UN
Bde - Brigade Term)
Bn - Battalion PMF – Popular Mobilisation Forces
BXP - Border Crossing Point PoI - Point of Impact (for IDF)
CET - Convoy Escort Team PoO - Point of Origin (for IDF)
CLC - Concerned Local Citizens PSAF - Precision Small Arms Fire
CoP - Chief of Police PSC - Private Security Company
CP - Check Point PSD - Private Security Detail
C-PERS - Captured Personnel RCIED - Remote-Controlled IED
CPX - Complex Attack (attack using multiple weapon systems) RPG - Rocket Propelled Grenade
CQA - Close Quarter Assassination/Attack RTA - Road Traffic Accident
DBS - Drive by Shooting SAF - Small Arms Fire
Div - Division SAFIRE - Surface to Air FIRE
DoD - Department of Defense SF - Special Forces
DoS - Department of State SVBIED - Suicide Vehicle Borne IED
DoS - US Department of State SVEST - Suicide Explosive Worn Vest
ECP - Entry Control Point TCN - Third Country National
EFP - Explosively Formed Projectile TCP - Traffic Control Point
EOD - Explosive Ordinance Disposal (Bomb Squad) Technical - An improvised weapon-mounted pick-up truck
ERW - Explosive Remnants of War TTP - Tactics, Techniques and Practices
FoM - Freedom of Movement UVIED - Under Vehicle IED
GoI - Government of Iraq UXO - Unexploded Ordnance
HCN - Host Country National VBIED - Vehicle Borne IED
HG - Hand Grenade VCP - Vehicle Checkpoint
HME - Home Made Explosive WIA - Wounded in Action
HMG - Heavy Machine Gun
HVT - High Value Target
IC - International Community
IDF - Indirect Fire (i.e.: rockets, mortars)
IDP - Internally Displaced Persons
IEC - Independent Electoral Commission
IED - Improvised Explosive Device
IM - International Military
IOC - International Oil Company
IRAM - Improvised Rocket Assisted Mortar
IRL - Improvised Rocket Launcher
IS - Islamic State
IVCP - Illegal Vehicle Check Point
IVO - In Vicinity Of
IZ - International Zone
KIA - Killed in Action
LN - Local National/Iraqi Civilian
MAIED - Magnetically attached IED (aka UVIED)
MIA - Missing in Action
MoD - Ministry of Defense
MoF - Ministry of Finance
MoFA - Ministry of Foreign Affairs
MoHE - Ministry of Higher Education
MoI - Ministry of Interior
MoJ - Ministry of Justice
Confidential and proprietary © GardaWorld [15]
garda.comWeekly Iraq .Xplored Report
07 Mar 2020
GARDAWORLD INFORMATION SERVICES
From our management offices and field offices in strategic locations our constant monitoring of the high-risk
environments in which we work is conveyed through our range of .Xplored™ risk analysis reports. The reports
contain detailed updates, delivering current and relevant ground-truth information to assist both our personnel and
our clients in their decision-making.
Our wider risk management solutions provide members of the defense, diplomatic, development, oil & gas and
infrastructure sectors operating in potentially high-risk and complex environments with a comprehensive range of
risk analysis, intelligence, crisis response, and training services. These services are designed to provide clients
with the proactive capability to remain aware in potentially hostile environments and identify risks while
strengthening their reactive capacity in emergency situations.
Our current regular reporting geographies include: Nigeria, Mali, Libya, Iraq, Afghanistan and Yemen on a daily,
weekly, fortnightly, and monthly basis.
Through our constant monitoring and predictive threat analysis our Information Services team help you plan for,
manage, and respond to risks.
For more information on our .Xplored reports or for information about our special-to-task reports tailored to
individual client requirements, please contact us: or contact our regional representative iraq.ram@garda.com
(Mobile: +964 7823 783 972)
For more information on how our services can support your business in Iraq contact:
Daniel Matthews, Senior Director Iraq daniel.matthews@garda.com
GARDAWORLD
A global leader in comprehensive security and risk management
GardaWorld International Protective Services is the international security division of GardaWorld Security
Corporation, the world's largest privately owned security company with over 62,000 global staff.
We support clients in emerging, complex and high-risk markets around the world with static security, security
consulting, risk analysis and reporting, crisis management and business continuity, mobile security, close
protection, training and kidnap for ransom and extortion response solutions.
We work across multiple business sectors to provide protection and security for clients in the extractives,
aerospace and defense, critical infrastructure, government and diplomatic and development sectors to secure
employees, assets, and reputation so clients can focus solely on running daily operations and growing their
business.
Discover more about the markets we serve and to learn how our international security solutions can help you
contact us today: gwinfo@garda.com
Confidential and proprietary © GardaWorld [16]
garda.comIraq GardaWorld Baghdad HQ House 10, Street 8 Area 226, International Zone Baghdad, Iraq Middle East International Protective Services Headquarters Office 2502, Tower 2, Currency House DIFC, PO Box 482069 Dubai, United Arab Emirates United States 1760 Old Meadow Road Suite 400 McLean, VA, 22102 United States UK 2, London Bridge London SE1 9RA Europe 39 rue des Deux Eglises 1000 Brussels Belgium garda.com
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