PRT MAYSAN: POLICE CHIEF REPLACED

S E C R E T BAGHDAD 001832 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/17/2018 TAGS: PINS PGOV IR MOPS SUBJECT: PRT MAYSAN: POLICE CHIEF REPLACED Classified By: PRT Team Leader Dan Foote for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (S/REL MCFI) According to reports from PRT contacts in the province and press sources, and confirmed by Maysan Governor Maliki's close advisor Zaid Khalaf al-Hoshi. Maysan province's police commander, Major General Ali Waham, was relieved of his duties in the province by the Ministry of the Interior on June 15. Rumors in Amarah credit the decision to remove MG Ali as the head of police to PM Maliki. The new police commander, BG Saad Ali Aaty (also referred to as Major General by some sources),is believed to be an experienced military hand who recently served as Brigade Commander of the IA 40 Brigade/10th IA DIV, after which he was assigned to Basrah and then as Deputy Commanding General of 11th IA DIV beginning in February 2008. The situation in Amarah remains tense, as the IA's increased visibility on the streets and PM Maliki's June 15 announcement of a four-day grace period to hand over weapons signal the wait for IA operations in the province may soon be over. ¶2. (S/REL MCFI) Comment: It is widely believed by Maysani contacts that dissatisfaction with MG Ali's ability, and possibly desire, to effectively carry out operations against Jaysh al-Mahdi (JAM) members and Special Group Criminals led to his removal. The GOI likely undertook this personnel maneuver to assuage popular and Coalition concerns over militia influence on the Maysan police force and its capabilities to enforce security both during, and in the wake of, military operations. End comment. BUTENIS