Central Iraq (Baghdad and Anbar)
Baghdad Reported 29 incidents this week, below the 2012 weekly average of 31 and a decrease on last week’s figure of 37. Incidents in the Baghdad Region occurred predominantly in the capital city; outlying areas – that have recently experienced a high number of incidents – were much more subdued this week. Within the capital, incidents were predominantly targeted against individuals with only one reported indiscriminate attack in Karkh on 13 December that killed a civilian and five others. The suicide attack outside the entrance to the Rusafa Tasfirat prison in eastern Baghdad on 12 December was slightly anomalous and was reported as a failed prison escape. Incident levels were also more subdued to the north of the capital than has recently been experienced. The most violent activity on the outskirts of Baghdad City happened in Hamid Shaban, Abu Ghraib district, with an attack against a police patrol and a suicide car-bomb at a military headquarters.
Anbar reported 12 incidents during the period, a decrease on last week’s figure of 14 and above the weekly average for 2012. The key battleground in Anbar continues to be contested in Fallujah and its surrounding rural areas. This week there was a combination of targeted attacks against civilians and against ISF patrols and checkpoints; and two VBIEDs (one which was disarmed). A SAF attack on 12 December against a police patrol near Amiriya was the first attack in the area this month. In November, Amiriya was very much the focus of insurgent activity, including targeted attacks and VBIEDs. However, incidents stopped after a concerted ISF effort in mid-November. Reports of confrontations between smugglers and security forces have featured regularly since the deterioration of security on the Syrian side of the border (much like in the North Region). However this week there was just one reported clash with smugglers.
Comments are closed.