Central Iraq (Baghdad and Anbar)
Baghdad recorded 36 incidents during this reporting period, well above the weekly average of 27 but only a little higher than last week’s total of 31. The high figure for this week is largely explained by the concentration of incidents associated with the 23 July attacks, which added at least twelve incidents (including at least eight VBIEDs) to the weekly tally. The most significant attack in the city was a VBIED at a restaurant in the exclusively Shi’a district of Sadr city which killed twelve civilians and wounded 23. Elsewhere, incidents in the city continue to be dominated by SAF and IED/UVIEDs attacks against civilian, government and ISF targets. Outside of the Baghdad city area, incidents were reported in the areas of Jisr al-Diyala and Abu Ghraib, with Abu Ghraib recording three IEDs and a UVIED.
Anbar recorded 23 incidents during this reporting period; almost double that of the previous period. The increase was not attributed to the 23 July attacks, although two VBIEDs were detonated in Ramadi on the 22 July. The highest concentration of incidents occurred towards the end of the week on 28 and 29 July, with a series of attacks focussed on Ramadi city and Fallujah district. This led ISF to seal of roads leading to Fallujah city and to impose a curfew. While this week’s increase in reported incidents can be in part attributed to weekly fluctuations, the overall security situation in Anbar has deteriorated in the last few months, both in terms of the volume and lethality of attacks, particularly those targeted against ISF. The influx of Syrian refugees is also seeing some tensions arising in both Anbar and Ninewa provinces.
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