BAGHDAD SECURITY PLAN: MOVING FROM CLEAR TO HOLD

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 003300 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/04/2016 TAGS: PGOV PTER PINR IZ SUBJECT: BAGHDAD SECURITY PLAN: MOVING FROM CLEAR TO HOLD AND BUILD REF: BAGHDAD 3121 Classified By: COL Kenneth Fisher, Baghdad PRT Deputy Team Leader, for reasons 15. (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) On September 4, Baghdad Security Plan (BSP) initiatives began in the Yarmouk/Mansour areas of the Al Mansour District. As this new focus area begins the initial cordon and clear phase of the initiative, other focus areas are progressing well in the hold (maintenance of security) and build (establishment of services and jobs) phases of the three-part plan. In Adhamiyah area of Adhamiyah District, where the clear phase began on August 27, the Coalition Forces (CF) have already employed over 750 day labors for trash collections and other jobs and have started evaluations of sewage, electricity, and water faults. ¶2. (C) Area residents remain highly supportive of the initiatives and continue to call for its expansion to other areas in their districts. Lingering perceptions of danger have kept some residents in doors, while others are slowly re-opening their businesses and participating in CF-supported employment programs. Local contacts, however, have noted that municipal services in some areas have slowed because of security checkpoints and that shipments of medical supplies and bottled water are difficult to transport into the secured areas, especially during the initial clearing days. CF are working with local authorities to resolve these problems. ¶3. (C) As fuel becomes more available, traffic backups due to checkpoint searches are increasing. Many residents, though grateful for the decrease in violence, still question the sustainability of the BSP initiatives. COMMENT -------------- ¶4. (C) The increase in traffic and movement in Baghdad and particularly in BSP focus areas indicates that people do feel safe enough to move about and resume business, even if some what limited. END COMMENT. KHALILZAD