IRAQI SECURITY FORCES AND JAM CLASH IN BASRAH

C O N F I D E N T I A L BASRAH 000099 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/24/2017 TAGS: PTER PGOV PINR IZ SUBJECT: IRAQI SECURITY FORCES AND JAM CLASH IN BASRAH REF: BASRAH 98 CLASSIFIED BY: Louis L. Bono, Director, Regional Embassy Office - Basrah, Department of State. REASON: 1.4 (a),(b) ¶1. (C) Summary: The tentative truce between the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) and Jaysh al-Mahdi (JAM) in Basrah was broken October 23 when fighting broke out throughout the city. Following a shooting of an alleged Organization of the Martyr Sadr (OMS) member at a police checkpoint, JAM forces launched multiple attacks against Iraqi Police units. Iraqi Security Forces (ISF),after several hours of confronting and negotiating with JAM, appear to have regained control of the city. End Summary. ¶2. (C) Basrah's Security Chief General Mohan Hafith Fahad and Police Chief Major General Jalil Khalaf Shueil, established vehicle checkpoints (VCP) earlier this month, as part of their security plan, to interdict militia members in unlicensed vehicles with tinted windows (reftel). On October 23, a police VCP near the Thar Allah office stopped an unregistered Toyota Land Cruiser with tinted windows. The occupants, claiming to be Port Authority members (known to be infiltrated by JAM),refused to relinquish the vehicle. A firefight with the IP ensued; one of the vehicle's occupants, reportedly an OMS leader, was killed. ¶3. (C) Soon after, clashes broke out all over the city, with attacks launched against police stations and VCPs in the And'lus, al-Fayh'a, Abu al-Kahsib and Hiyaniyah districts; at the Basrah City Gate; Cigar Island; and at several bridges across the Shatt al-Arab. According to ISF reports, at least three police stations, including the 6/2 National Police Headquarters at Hamdan Road Prison, were overtaken by JAM. GEN Mohan's headquarters came under small arms and mortar fire. Multiple sources reported that JAM confiscated armored vehicles, weapons, and equipment from ISF units, emplaced IEDs inside the city, and that perhaps as many as 100 police officers were captured. Another source told us JAM took control of areas between the Iranian border and the Shatt al-Arab. ¶4. (C) In response, GEN Mohan deployed the 2/3/9 armored battalion and 14th DIV (IA) elements into the city. Mohan, through MOD Advisor Majid al-Sari, also opened a dialogue with OMS/JAM to defuse the situation. The latest reports indicate that the ISF appear to be regaining control. As of 2230 local time, reports indicate the ISF retook the 6/2 IP HQ, are regaining control of bridges east of the city, as well as some police stations and VCPs. Although 50 police officers have been released, as many as 40 others are still believed to be in the hands of the militias. The ISF reported one soldier killed and several others wounded. Militia casualties are unknown at this time. ¶5. (C) According to MND-SE, the UK Maneuver Battle Group offered Mohan its support. Mohan declined the offer, but requested fast air support. Two Tornado G4s were deployed over Basrah in a show of force along with UAVs to provide surveillance. There have been no reported attacks against Coalition Forces, including IDF attacks. ¶6. (C) Aljazeera erroneously reported that MG Jalil was among those kidnapped and held at an undisclosed location. GEN Mohan later spoke to Aljazeera and Reuters dispelling that rumor and reaffirmed that the ISF control Basrah. Moqtada al-Sadr reportedly called Mohan and Jalil to deny any affiliation with the attackers, and Basrah's OMS office followed up in the evening with a similar statement. ¶7. (C) REO Basrah will continue to monitor events and report as warranted. BONO