FALLUJAH UPDATE

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 004400

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/28/2016
TAGS: PTER PHUM PINS PGOV PREF IZ
SUBJECT: FALLUJAH UPDATE

Classified By: Deputy Political Counselor Robert Gilchrist for reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary: PRT officials met with Fallujah leaders
Mayor Jassim, Fallujah City Council (FCC) Secretary Abbas
and Iraqi Police Chief Colonel Karim at the Fallujah IP
District Headquarters 25 on November 25. They noted that
the sectarian violence in Baghdad would likely lead to a
greater influx of displaced Sunni families. Fallujah
leaders echoed that ongoing sectarianism would create
trouble in Fallujah for the mostly Shia Iraqi Army (IA)units.
It
appears that there is an anti-extremist backlash in
Fallujah, with Abbas telling PRT officials that Fallujans
had decided to become more active in countering local
extremist/terrorist activities. Coalition Forces (CF) and
the IA report
improvements in IA performance and Ministry of Defense (MOD)
logistical
support; however the IA remains dependent on CF for many
staples.
End Summary.


2. (C) In recent weeks, Marines estimate that
approximately 30-40 IDPs have sought refuge daily in Anbar's
gated community.
All agreed that contingency plans were
needed should the anticipated IDP inflow increase
dramatically. (Note: under the current arrangement, IDPs
are sponsored by Fallujan residents and forms are
verified/approved by the IP. No families from within Al
Anbar are allowed entry, only those from outside the
province ? with most coming from Baghdad. End Note). Abbas
stated flatly that IDPs were a "reality" until sectarianism
in Baghdad was reduced.


3. (C) Fallujah leaders echoed that ongoing sectarianism
would create trouble in Fallujah for IA units. The current
mood had increased tension among residents; if sectarianism
in Baghdad lessened, IA units (dominantly Shia) would be
better received. If not, planned handover of security
responsibilities would become complicated and be
undermined. Abbas stressed that more Iraqi Security Force
units were needed
in Fallujah should Coalition Forces numbers be reduced, "two
or three times
at least." City leaders registered strong concerns about the
growing power
of militias, which remained the main problem. Col Karim
noted that the
planned movement of a special police battalion to Fallujah
had been put on hold, due to the volatile situation in the
capital.

--------------
A FALLUJAH "AWAKENING"
--------------


4. (C) Abbas said that Fallujans, like others in the
province, had decided to become more active in countering
extremist/terrorist activities. He said that area
residents had increasingly realized that the terrorists
offered them nothing. When asked about Ramadi initiatives
(tribes, Sheikh Sattar, etc),Abbas said that Fallujans
were doing "even more." In the last Fallujah City Council
session, however, he had opted not to publicly flag this
shift. Col Karim told PRT Officials privately that in
recent days, five terrorists had been killed in the city.
He would not elaborate if the new police unit had been
directly involved, but implied as much.


5. (C) Mayor Jassim, FCC Secretary, Mr. Abbas, and IP
chief, Col Karim, said that they had been told a female had
been taken by individuals in IA uniforms, reportedly the
sister of an IA soldier. They did not have further
information, but requested that we contact IA leadership.
So far, they were unaware of any demonstrations or civil
unrest. (Note: In the past, some of the most explosive
incidents have stemmed from local reaction to the arrest of
females. In autumn 2005, a female was temporarily detained
by units associated with CF - which led to significant
disruptions in local governance and unrest in the city.
End Note.)


6. (C) During a brief stop at OP Gold, the Military
Transition Team leader said that he had seen improvements
in IA performance. He noted that supplies from MoD had
also increased, even if they were still lacking overall.
The IA company commander, Captain Hussein, noted that
uniforms were now being issued, whereas before IA soldiers
had to use their own funds to buy them. That said, they
still lacked a sufficient number for all of his men.
Hussein added that the new MoD had made some improvements
in overall logistical support, but it was clear that the IA
remained dependent on CF for many staples.
SCOBEY