(S) OPERATION SWARMER UPDATE 0600 BAGHDAD

S E C R E T KIRKUK 000064 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 3/17/2016 TAGS: MOPS PINS PGOV PTER IZ SUBJECT: (S) OPERATION SWARMER UPDATE 0600 BAGHDAD CLASSIFIED BY: Scott Dean, Regional Coordinator (Acting),Reo Kirkuk, Department of State . REASON: 1.4 (b),(d) ¶1. (U) This is a SET Tikrit cable. ¶2. (S) SUMMARY. OPERATION SWARMER began on March 16, Northeast of Samarra, Iraq to kill or capture AIF, to disrupt AI operations, and to capture weapons caches. The Governor of Salah Ad Din Province gave a news conference, and will give a second on March 17, talking about the need to remove AIF from Iraq, and demanding that citizens accept responsibility to protect their homes and families by driving the terrorists out. AIF attacked two Security Infrastructure Battalion (SIB) camps in the area. Both incidents are being investigated. END SUMMARY. ¶3. (S) OPERATION SWARMER began on March 16 in the area northeast of Samarra, Iraq, with the intent of killing or capturing AIF reported to be in the area. Intelligence information provided by the CF, ISF and local nationals formed the basis for this operation, which had been planned for several weeks. ¶4. (S) On the first day of operations, caches were found comprising several hundred rounds of explosives. An unknown number of detainees were apprehended. The operation is planned to continue for the next several days. ¶5. (U) On March 16th, the Governor of Salah Ad Din, Sheikh Hamad Hamud Shuki, gave a press conference where he noted an increase in AIF actions in the province over the last 2 weeks, and described the negative effects these activities have on the community. He demanded that clerics, sheiks, and social and political leaders accept their responsibilities to maintain security in their areas, and drive out the terrorists. Many of these community leaders attended the news conference. ¶6. (S) The governor will give another press conference, from the battlefield area, in the morning (Baghdad time) of March 17, where he is again expected to admonish Salah Ad Din residents to rid their country of the terrorists who are disrupting the move toward democracy and stability. ¶7. (S) On March 16, AIF attacked two Security Infrastructure Battalion (SIB) camps. In Tikrit, initial reports indicated a large AIF force had overrun the position. Further investigation revealed vehicles and weapons had been stolen, but no one had been injured. The Iraqi Army is still investigating. In Balad, the SIB repelled a separate attack. No damages to the oil pipeline occurred in these areas. ORESTE