Central Iraq (Baghdad and Anbar)
Baghdad recorded 46 incidents this week, which is on par with last week’s figure of 45, yet some way above the current 2012 weekly average of 29. These figures are amongst the highest for the year so far and reflect the continued instability in security in the capital seen in the last few months. As is common for Baghdad, a substantial number of reported incidents are likely of a criminal or communal nature; this week up to six shooting incidents, four murders and two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) are assessed to fall into this category. As such the high figures do not exclusively reflect insurgent activity, but are also responsive to other factors. The most significant incident this week occurred on17 September, when a suicide car-bomb detonated near the 14 July Bridge entrance to the International Zone. The attack killed seven and wounded up to eleven others. Amongst the wounded was Habin al-Turfi, an MP with the Citizen Block of ISCI.
Activity in Anbar reduced to ten reported incidents this week, which remains on par with the weekly average for 2012. The overall security picture was in line with the average pattern for the province, with the majority of incidents being stand-off attacks on ISF along the Euphrates River Valley, with a focus in urban centres to the east of the province. There were no successful high profile attacks. Of the attacks on ISF, six involved explosive devices, either targeting patrols or attached to ISF members’ private vehicles, and three involved small arms fire (SAF) on checkpoints. These types of “hit and run” and stand-off attacks reflect the long term insurgent strategy of undermining and harassing ISF in the province of Anbar. ISF also reported the discovery and clearance of a car-bomb in Fallujah.
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