Central Iraq (Baghdad and Anbar)
Baghdad reported a total of 39 incidents during the period, above the weekly average of 31, though a slight decrease on last week’s figure of 44. Reporting from Baghdad can be affected by a host of factors – including criminal, factional and insurgent activity. Incidents in Baghdad Province concentrated in western areas included a variety of standoff, and hit-and-run style attacks; including, IEDs (both roadside and attached to vehicles), and shooting incidents (primarily targeting ISF). Of particular note was a rocket attack on an Iraqi Army base in Radwaniya, south-west Baghdad on 21 January. There were a number of targeted attacks, primarily IED or shootings against individuals working in government ministries this week, and also against high-level ISF commanders. Such attacks remain an on-going challenge for the security apparatus in Baghdad and are likely to be seen in some form on a weekly basis. Also of note, there was a series of vehicle-bomb attacks in the Baghdad Region on 22 and 23 January targeting both civilians and ISF. The attacks took place in the predominantly Shia areas of Mahmudiya and Shu’ala, and in the largely Sunni areas of Mushada, Taji and Tarmiya to the north of the capital.
Anbar reported a total of 18 incidents this week, an increase from the previous reporting period and some way above the current weekly average of 12. This increase was exclusively driven by activity in Fallujah District, which reported all but one of the province’s incidents. Several demonstrators were reported killed and a number wounded during clashed between civilians and security forces in Fallujah city after Friday Prayers on 25 January. Following the clashes, a number of ISF vehicles were torched and at least one checkpoint overrun. On 26 January, the government sought to ease tension by withdrawing the army from the city; however two soldiers were killed by precision fire as they left the city, and four were kidnapped as they returned to Baghdad for leave. The later incidents likely reflect efforts by local Sunni Arab insurgent groups to exploit anger at ISF and bolster their own standing. Elsewhere, an ‘Awakening Movement’ commander was shot dead in Karmah and a single IED detonated against a police member in Ramadi.
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