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
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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?
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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
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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
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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