IRAQ: 2006 COUNTRY REPORTS ON TERRORISM

UNCLAS BAGHDAD 000265

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

S/CT FOR RHONDA SHORE AND NCTC

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER ASEC PGOV IZ
SUBJECT: IRAQ: 2006 COUNTRY REPORTS ON TERRORISM


1. Embassy POC: Allison Monz; monza2@state.gov. Telephone:
914-822-9289.


2. (SBU) Iraq remains at the center in the global war on
terror battling al-Qaida and affiliated terrorist
organizations; insurgent groups fighting against Coalition
Forces (CF); along with militias and death squads
increasingly engaged in sectarian violence; and criminal
organizations taking advantage of Iraq's deteriorating
security situation. Terrorist organizations and insurgent
groups continue to attack Coalition Forces primarily
utilizing Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and
Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs). The GOI
universally condemns terrorist groups and supports Coalition
Forces (CF) against al-Qaida and its affiliates. The June 7,
2006 death of al-Qaida's Iraq leader, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi,
damaged the group's leadership, but did not diminish attacks
against CF and Iraqis nor halt overall increasing attack
trends by the group.


3. (SBU) Al-Qaida and affiliated groups continued attacks on
Iraq's infrastructure and claimed responsibility for
kidnappings and attacks against CF. Tribal leaders in
Ramadi, a volatile city in Anbar province, banded together in
late 2006 and pledged to fight against al-Qaida instead of
CF. While their full effectiveness remains uncertain, this
represents an important step in the fight to defeat al-Qaida.
GOI-sponsored reconciliation programs aimed at reducing the
sources of violence. The government has organized
conferences involving tribal and religious leaders,
politicians and civil society organizations, to both counter
support for terrorist organizations and promote dialogue
between Iraq's ethnic and religious groups in an effort to
decrease violence.

4.(SBU) In 2006 the extent of Iraq's sectarian divide emerged
following the February 22 bombing of the al-Askari Mosque,
one of the holiest sites to Shia Muslims, located in Salah ad
Din. While violence against both CF and Iraqis had been
increasing prior to the bombing, this event exacerbated
sectarian tensions and led to increased violence in Iraq's
ethnically-mixed areas, especially Baghdad. Sectarian
attacks, including car bombs, suicide vests, sniper fire, and
targeted assassinations, occur on a daily basis with Iraqi
civilians suffering the majority of causalities. Iraq's
sectarian violence furthers the terrorists' goals by creating
instability and weakening the GOI.


5. (SBU) Neighboring countries, specifically Iran and Syria,
continue to interfere in Iraq's internal affairs smuggling
weapons, people and materials to terrorist, insurgent and
militia groups inside Iraq. Iranian agents and sympathizers
utilize an 800-mile long, porous border with limited security
to transport their goods. Increasingly, these materials
include Iranian-made weapons such as Explosively Formed
Projectiles (EFPs) or their components, which have proven
effective in attacks against CF.


6. (SBU) In recent statements GOI leaders, including the
Prime Minister, the President and the Foreign Minister, have
called on neighboring countries to stop interfering in Iraq's
internal affairs and to stop supporting elements actively
fighting against Iraq's elected government. In 2006 Syria's
Foreign Minister traveled to Baghdad and agreed to cooperate
more closely on border security in an effort to reduce the
number of foreign fighters entering Iraq. Senior GOI
officials, including Iraqi President Talabani, traveled to
Iran throughout 2006 encouraging the Iranian government to
support Iraq's political process and to stop material support
of terrorist groups and
militias.


7. (SBU) In an effort to further demonstrate that the GOI
would not allow Iraq to become a safe-haven for terrorist
organizations, the GOI has taken a proactive position against
the Kurdistan Workers Party (Kongra-Gel/PKK),an
internationally designated terrorist organization. In late
2006, Iraqi Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki, appointed the
Minister of State for National Security, Shirwan al-Waeli, as
the Iraq coordinator for PKK issues. Tension between Turkey
and the GOI increased in late 2006 as GOT leaders expressed
increasing frustration at what they viewed as GOI inaction
against the PKK.


8. (SBU) As the GOI continues to build its capacity to fight
terrorist organizations, continued USG and international
support will be required. While a proven ally in the war on
terror, Iraq's developing security forces require further
training and resources before they can effectively address
the groups already operating within their borders. Iraq's
intelligence services continue to improve in both competency
and confidence but they also require additional support
before they will be able to adequately identify and respond
to internal and external terrorist threats. The
international community's support for investment and
reconstruction are critical components needed to ensure that
the GOI's plans to reduce violence, improve services and
increase economic opportunities are successful.


9. (SBU) Known terrorist groups in Iraq, in addition to the
Kongra-Gel/PKK include:

-- Al-Qaida Iraq (Tanzim Qaidat al-Jihad fi Bilad
al-Rafidayn) and the Islamic State of Iraq: This group is
ideologically affiliated with al-Qaida and is responsible for
attacks against CF and Iraqis. The June 7 death of Zarqawi
damaged the group's leadership structure, although it did not
change its central mission of expelling CF from Iraq and
toppling Iraq's elected government. Its current leader is
known as Abu Hamza al-Muhajir. In Janaury 2006 press reports
indicated that AQI teamed with several smaller Sunni Islamist
groups devoted to continuing the insurgency calling
themselves the Mujahideen Shura Council. By late 2006, this
group renamed itself the Islamic State of Iraq. The group
claimed responsibility for kidnapping two US soldiers in June

2006.

-- Ansar al-Sunnah: This Sunni-dominated extremist group has
fought against CF since 2003. It is dedicated to expelling
CF and establishing an Islamic state based on Sharia law. In
2006 this group took responsibility for several kidnappings
and targeted assassinations

-- Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK): This group formed in the 1960s in
Tehran University as a response to Iran's Shah who the
founders believed to be corrupt. The group was exiled from
Iran in 1979 after the Islamic Revolution. Saddam Hussein
offered the group refuge in exchange for support during the
Iraq-Iran war in the 1980s. In 2003 MEK members were
targeted by CF due to previous ties with Saddam. They
immediately negotiated a cease-fire and have since been
living in CF-protected camps in Iraq.
KHALILZAD