Amir al-Saadi, a writer and political analyst focusing on security and strategic affairs, told Al-Monitor, “The functional structure of the Iraqi security system suffers from a significant imbalance, especially as the project to install surveillance cameras remains unfinished. This is in addition to the lack of hot air balloons and planes allowing the intelligence system to track any suspicious movements on the outskirts of Baghdad and inside it.”
Saadi added, “The Baghdad Operations Command cannot guarantee the security situation in the capital by building a wall around the city, since anyone can manufacture an explosive device made from materials available in the local Iraqi market. The leadership of the security services and the administrations’ plans and strategies are weak. They often address violations after they happen, reacting to them instead of passing laws to avoid these security breaches in the first place.”
The repeated IS attacks on Baghdad, especially in Shiite areas, confirm the existence of sleeper cells that commit random suicide attacks and use car bombs to target civilians. They seem to be avoiding confrontation with the Iraqi security forces in Baghdad as they try to maintain a presence in the capital.
Abadi has not issued any new statement or stance regarding the attacks in Baghdad, the last of which happened on Feb. 28. The government has not taken any new measures on the capital’s western outskirts, where the attack occurred.
(Terrorism image via Shutterstock)
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