DHI QAR: FIGHTING BETWEEN JAM AND IRAQI SECURITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 001606

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

CONFIDENTIAL/REL MNC-I

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/15/2017
TAGS: MOPS MCAP PHUM PGOV PTER MARR PINS PNAT IZ
SUBJECT: DHI QAR: FIGHTING BETWEEN JAM AND IRAQI SECURITY
FORCES IN TRANSFERRED PROVINCE

Classified By: DHI QAR PRT DEPUTY TEAM LEADER RICHARD RILEY FOR REASONS
1.4 (B),AND (D)


1. (U) This is a PRT Dhi Qar cable.


2. (C/REL MNC-I) Summary: This is a situation report on
fighting in Dhi Qar Province between the Jaish Al-Mahdi (JAM)
Militia, the Iraqi Police (IP) and Iraqi Army
(IA)(hereinafter referred to collectively as the Iraqi
Security Forces (ISF)) and elements of the Badr Corps, which
began at approximately 2200 the night of 15 May. Elements of
all sides have received casualties. The situation is
developing, and not all the facts are known at this time. As
of now, Nassiriyah is reportedly under the control of the
ISF, and a ceasefire is potentially in the works. End Summary


3. (C/REL MNC-I) Since approximately 2200 hours on night of
May 15, 2007, elements of the JAM, ISF and Badr Corps have
engaged in a pitched battle in downtown Nassiriyah, capital
of Dhi Qar province, as well as the city of Al-Shatrah,
located approximately 52 KM north of Nassiriyah. Current
reporting from military and DOS sources indicate that there
are many casualties, with one report indicating that there
are &dozens of casualties8 at the Nassiriyah Central
Hospital. Coalition Forces have been contacted by the
provincial government with a request for possible assistance
with the casualties as they reportedly number too many to be
handled by the central hospital. One report by the
Associated Press has indicated nine dead and 75 wounded. The
clash has effectively closed down the cities of Al Nassiriyah
(Capital of Dhi Qar province),Suq al-Shuyukh, Dhi Qar,s
second largest city, as well as Al-Shatrah.


4. (C/REL MNC-I) There are two possibly conflicting stories
as to what incited this clash between these two militias and
the ISF. One story is that the JAM commander for al-Gharaff,
a city located approximately 15 KM north of Nassiriyah, was
arrested by the Al-Shatrah City Police on 15 May, based on an
outstanding arrest warrant, and transported to the jail
located at the Tactical Support Unit (TSU) at the Provincial
Joint Operations Center (PJOC) in downtown Nassiriyah.
Another story indicates that the Al-Shatrah Police arrested
an undetermined number of JAM members for emplacing IEDs in
the vicinity of al-Shatrah. This report makes it unclear the
identity of these members arrested for emplacing IED,s - it
could well be that the senior JAM commander was in fact part
of this group seen emplacing IEDs - if that version of the
story is correct. (Comment: the city of Al-Shatrah is known
for its heavy JAM presence. End Comment). The report
indicating that a senior JAM commander was arrested continues
by stating that once the prisoner was transported to the TSU
jail in Nassiriyah, representatives of JAM approached the TSU
Commander, Colonel Naji Rostum Sahra al-Joubir (AKA Abu
Liqa),and demanded the JAM leader,s release. (Comment:
Naji Rostum Sahra Al Joubir is also a senior Badr Corps
member. End Comment). The TSU Commnder refused to release
the prisoner. JAM then fired several RPG,s at the PJOC
building and exchanged small arms fire with the IPs at the
PJOC. Some unconfirmed reports indicate that Naji Rostum
Sahra Al Joubir was either killed or wounded in that
exchange. The fighting then escalated through the evening
and into the morning as a general confrontation between the
ISF, Badr Corps, and JAM.


5. (C/REL MNC-I) Military personnel located on Tallil Air
Base have spoken with BRIG Saad, CDR Third Brigade, Tenth
Division of the Iraqi Army, circa 1140 on 16 May and he
indicated that he controls all check points in Al-Nassiriyah,
and that the city is under his control. However, we
understand that city services continue to be disrupted and
that a curfew is in effect. Other contacts in the city of
Nassiriyah still report the exchange of heavy weapons fire,
though we have also heard that the members of the TSU have
gained control of the OMS building in Nassiriyah and continue
to patrol the streets. We also understand that the IP
requested a cease fire with JAM late morning of 16 May. JAM
is reportedly demanding compensation for the all of the
rounds and munitions that they have used in the fight.
Latest reporting on casualties also indicate that Colonel
Jawad, Commander of the Anti-Terrorist Unit for the IP has
died from injuries sustained in the conflict. We also
received a report morning of 16 May that some 200 JAM members
were rallying in Al-Shatrah, attempting to take over the IP
building in that city. There have also been several large
explosions heard in the area, with one report indicating
eight large explosions and automatic fire observed.


BAGHDAD 00001606 002 OF 002




6. (C/REL MNC-I) We also have reports from the city of Suq
Al- Shuyukh, the second largest city in Dhi Qar, and located
approximately 40 KM southeast of Al-Nassiriyah, that as of
this morning, JAM, and not the ISF, controlled the security
in the city. (Comment: Suq Al- Shuyukh is also known for its
heavy JAM presence. End comment.) There was no reported
fighting in Suq Al-Shuyukh last night, but at approximately
1000 hours on the morning of 16 May, JAM &took over8 the IP
check points in Suq Al- Shuyukh with no apparent resistance
from the IP We have been told that the IP manning the
checkpoints in Suq al-Shuyukh heard that they would not be
supported by Coalition Forces were a fight to ensue between
themselves and JAM, and thus made the decision to withdraw
rather than risk a confrontation. (Comment: It is also well
known that the Dhi Qar IP is heavily infiltrated by JAM at
the lower ranks, which could also account for their decision
to not engage JAM for control of the checkpoints in Suq
al-Shuyukh. End Comment). We believe that JAM moved to
secure the checkpoints in Suq al-Shuyukh in order to head off
any confrontation with the ISF or Badr Corps, or at least to
better position themselves should the conflagration in
Nassiriyah extend to Suq Al-Shuyukh. We have also heard
reports that JAM has closed Alternate Supply Route Jackson
between Suq Al-Shuyukh and Nassiriyah. However, this is not
yet confirmed.


6. (U) We will give further updates as information becomes
available.
CROCKER