Terrorist attacks aren't always religiously motivated; other reasons include financial motives or political revenge, with operations carried out in both Shiite and Sunni areas.
In addition, the rampant corruption in government agencies, including military and security establishments, contributes to the access of terrorists to areas that are far away from their area of influence. They are able to do so by bribing security officers at checkpoints. The head of the Citizen Alliance, Baqir Jabr al-Zubeidi, said in 2013 that “the security establishment's corruption is behind the bombings.”
The Iraqi security apparatus has not made any significant progress in the way it deals with security breaches. Security forces still use old tools and devices, such as inefficient or ineffective bomb detectors and surveillance cameras, while terrorist groups have developed and diversified the way they implement terrorist attacks.
The most prominent example of outdated Iraqi equipment is the sonar handling system (ADE 651 bomb detection device), which turned out to be completely fraudulent. Six years ago, it was proved that the device does not detect bombs or explosives at all. The company's British owner was convicted of fraud by a UK court in October 2014 and sentenced to 10 years in prison. Yet, the device is still being used at various checkpoints in Iraq.
The ongoing "improvements" in the way terrorists carry out their attacks require that the Iraqi government take firmer and tougher preventive measures.
The government needs to update its security plans to protect the cities, based on international security standards and with the help of international, specialized security companies, as is the case in many other countries. Egypt, for example has turned to an international company to help secure its airports.
Otherwise, the terrorist bombings will not be prevented at the heart of government-controlled areas, including the Shiite-majority areas.
(Terrorism image via Shutterstock)
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