SOUTH'S INDEPENDENT POLICE CHIEFS NEED U.S.

S E C R E T BAGHDAD 004003 SIPDIS NOFORN SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/07/2017 TAGS: PGOV IR IZ SUBJECT: SOUTH'S INDEPENDENT POLICE CHIEFS NEED U.S. SUPPORT: FOLLOW-UP REF: A. BAGHDAD 03951 B. HILLAH 00169 C. TD 539-07 091223Z DEC 07 Classified By: PolCouns Matt Tueller for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (S/NF) Summary: Ref A detailed the threats facing independent police chiefs in the south and made the case for offering these chiefs increased USG support. On December 9 Babil Police Chief Qais al-Mumury was killed in an explosion targeting his convoy (ref B). His assassination came amid formal efforts by PM Maliki to remove Qais from his position, an action that would have relaxed pressure on militias. USG had engaged to preserve Qais in his position and Maliki had decided to rescind the transfer order (ref C). PRT Babil will meet with other Hillah officials and Qais' widow to determine the need for additional assistance. PRTs, the U.S. Embassy, and MNF will also continue efforts to bolster the position and security of endangered southern police chiefs in Muthanna and Karbala. End Summary. Babil: Police Chief Assassinated -------------- ¶2. (S/NF) Babil IP Chief Qais al-Mamury was killed on December 9 by an array of explosively-formed penetrators (EFPs) targeting his convoy. Qais worked closely with SWAT Commander BG Abbas al-Jaburi to target armed elements linked to ISCI, Da'wa, and JAM. Abbas is a likely next target and the PRT is meeting with him on December 9 to assess the situation and determine if he needs assistance. The PRT will also try to meet with Qais' widow. U.S Embassy and MNF-I will also engage with MOI and the PM's office to emphasize that the new police chief must not have any ties to Shi'a militias. Karbala: Green Zone Shelter for Chief's Family? -------------- -- ¶3. (C) Polcouns Tueller met with PRT Karbala Team Leader Angus Simmons on December 1 to discuss the possibility of providing temporary International Zone (IZ) housing for Karbala IP Chief BG Ra'ad Shakir Jawdat. Polcouns clarified that the GOI is ultimately responsible for providing such shelter but offered to engage with the PM's office on Ra'ad's behalf. PRT Karbala relayed the offer through Shaykh Ali Kamonah and is waiting for a response from Ra'ad. Muthanna: Anti-JAM Commander Retains Position -------------- ¶4. (C) Colonel Ali al-Khawam, leader of Muthanna's elite Criminal Intelligence Unit (CIU),was allowed to retain his post following MNF-I and U.S. Embassy engagement with the Ministry of the Interior (MOI). Although he does not face any specific threats at present, his position remains vulnerable and the U.S. mission must be ready to engage on his behalf in the future. Underscoring need for U.S. assistance -------------- ¶5. (S/NF) Comment: The timing of Qais' assassination, coming only a week after PM Maliki ordered him transferred, and then rescinded the order following USG intervention, underscores the twin threats facing police officials in the south: threats to their authority from the MOI and central government and threats to their lives from Shi'a militias. The U.S. Embassy will continue to work closely with PRTs to provide security and political assistance to these embattled officials. End Comment. BUTENIS