NINEWA POLICE CHIEF CLAIMS REPORTS OF A RISE IN KIDNAPPINGS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MOSUL 000017 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 2/18/2016 TAGS: PREL PINS PGOV PHUM IZ MARR PINT SUBJECT: NINEWA POLICE CHIEF CLAIMS REPORTS OF A RISE IN KIDNAPPINGS AND EXTORTIONS EXAGGERATED CLASSIFIED BY: Cameron Munter, PRT Leader, Provincial Reconstruction Team Ninewa, State. REASON: 1.4 (a),(b),(d) -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (C) Provincial Chief of Police Wathiq Al Qudir told PRT Poloff that reports of an increase in the number of kidnappings and extortions in Mosul are exaggerated. He said rumors that the crimes are targeted specifically against Kurds and Chaldo/Assyrians are false, and denied that incidents are as frequent as many suggest. In actual cases, he claimed there is a direct link between terrorists and the kidnappers and extortionists. Al Qudir said he realizes that many victims have not reported the crimes to the police, and asked for PRT assistance to help urge the public in Ninewa to do so. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) PRT Poloff met with Provincial Chief of Police (PCOP) General Wathiq Al Qudir at One West Iraqi Police (IP) Headquarters in Mosul on February 14. -------------- - RISE IN EXTORTIONS AND KIDNAPPINGS EXAGGERATED -------------- - ¶3. (C) Ninewa PCOP Al Qudir said that reports of a rise in the number of kidnappings and extortions in Mosul are exaggerated. He said that in Mosul, news of one or two events travels fast and results in fear, confusion, and hype. Al Qudir said allegations that extortions and kidnappings are predominantly targeting Kurds and minorities, such as Chaldo/Assyrians, are false. He called the criminals "equal opportunity terrorists," and was quick to point out that Sunni Arabs have been targeted more than any other ethnic group. Al Qudir said he estimates the number of both extortions and kidnappings reported to the IP at around 20 so far this year. He said, however, that he did not have accurate data to verify this. ¶4. (C) Poloff said many persons who have notified the PRT about the issue said they did not report the crimes to the IP out of fear from reprisal. Al Qudir said he is aware of this problem and is looking into ways to build more trust between the IP and the community. In the meantime, Al Qudir said he would be happy to receive reports for these crimes "directly," rather that through the IP chain of command. He said another problem his force is facing is that the few victims who have come to the IP have done so after having already paid the extortionists. Al Qudir said he believes the IP is very effective in combating these crimes, but are unable to do so if they are not informed about them. He asked for PRT assistance to pass this message along to anyone reporting similar problems in the future. -------------- TERRORISTS AND CRIMINAL ACTIVITY LINKED -------------- ¶5. (C) Poloff asked if there was a connection between the terrorists and those committing the extortions and kidnappings, or if criminals were taking advantage of the security situation to commit more violent crime. Al Qudir said he sees a direct link between terrorist activities and the crimes. He claimed persons who have been arrested recently for extortions and kidnappings were the "same people" who were arrested before for terrorist activities. Another complication, according to Al Qudir, is how quickly the terrorists adjust to new IP techniques to battle terrorism. Al Qudir said once the IP figure out a new way to combat improvised explosive devices (IEDs),for example, the terrorists figure out new ways to plant them, undetected. He said he is frustrated but anticipates a "never-ending battle" of this sort to continue for the foreseeable future. Al Qudir remains confident that his forces can battle against terrorists and win. -------------- COMMENT -- POLICE CHIEF'S CREDIBILITY GAP -------------- ¶6. (C) In office for almost four months now, Al Qudir still enjoys the support and admiration of most Moslawis as a person, including Kurds, Sunni Arabs, Shias, and minorities. What Al Qudir is lacking, however, is the public's "trust" in the IP as an institution. In conversations with politicians, government officials, and NGOs, many have told the PRT that they still have more faith in the ability of the Iraqi Army (IA) to solve problems and protect the public than the IP. Al Qudir has made clear to us that he is aware of this problem and is working on strengthening the IP's rapport with the community. He said he understands that to bridge this credibility gap he will need to make the IP more responsive and reliable than it has been in the past. Although Al Qudir's intentions are good, convincing a skeptical public otherwise will take time to develop. So far, we believe he appears to be up to the challenge. MUNTER