PRT DIYALA: FEMALE SUICIDE BOMBERS - A WORRISOME

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 002048 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/03/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR PINS PTER SOCI IZ SUBJECT: PRT DIYALA: FEMALE SUICIDE BOMBERS - A WORRISOME TREND Classified By: PRT Team Leader George White for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) . ¶1. (U) This is a PRT Diyala reporting cable. ¶2. (C) Summary: The recent spate of female suicide bombers in Iraq presents serious challenges for the Iraqi Security Forces. There have been 23 reported cases nationwide this year alone, a significant increase from eight reported attacks in 2007. Nineteen of those attacks occurred in Diyala province. Although the attackers in Diyala were homegrown, sources tell us Al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) has recruited a "regiment of women" from all over Iraq to carry out attacks in Diyala to demonstrate that AQI is still operational in the province. Diyala provincial security officials state that few legal deterrents exist to discourage women from becoming suicide bombers, and that they lack adequate detention centers to house women terrorists. They also argue that laws that hold families accountable for their female relatives' actions would help curb women's involvement in attacks. Provincial officials feel the Coalition Forces (CF) program to recruit women security guards - known as the "Daughters of Iraq" - will not gain traction in Diyala due to cultural norms that prevent women from leaving the household for long periods of time to train. End Summary. Prevalence of Women Suicide Bombers Increasing -------------- -- ¶3. (C) With more than half of the female suicide bomber attacks occurring in Diyala province this year, provincial officials are keen to gain more information on the women behind these attacks. It is widely perceived that all are associated with AQI, most are fairly young (under 25),and all have been indigenous to Diyala. ¶4. (C) The largest attacks this year occurred in the provincial capital of Baqubah, Muqdadiyah, and Balad Ruz. Diyala Operations Center (DOC) spokesperson COL Raqheb Al-Omairi points out that the attack in the northern town of Qara Tappa is an indication that AQI is still present in Diyala, but has been unable to establish a solid base in the province due to the combined pressure from the Iraqi Police (IP),Iraqi Army (IA),and CF. He said the town of Qara Tappa has always been an "incubator for bad guys." AQI Recruits Women Suicide Bombers Nationwide -------------- ¶5. (C) According to Sunni Deputy Governor Auwf Rahoumi, people in his neighborhood report that "a regiment of women" (Note: "regiment" in this context is not a reflection of the size of the element but rather the concept of central command and control. End Note.) from around Iraq has been recruited to conduct suicide bombings throughout Diyala, specifically to refute reports that AQI is moribund in the province. Auwf recently moved to Muqdadiyah, a former AQI stronghold, and is active in the community as he initiates his campaign for governor. Laws Do Not Deter Women Suicide Bombers -------------- ¶6. (C) Saja Qaduri Aziz (strictly protect),a Dawa Party PC member who sits on the PC security committee, reinforced this report explaining she had received intelligence from the IA stating 10-25 female suicide bombers between the ages of 15-20 had completed training and are prepared to carry out attacks. She says the IA explained to her that they were unable to detain these women because currently there are no laws in place to arrest women on suspicion of training to become suicide bombers. She also said the IA currently has no female detention facilities. ¶7. (C) DOC spokesperson Ragheb told us security officials' efforts to stop female suicide bombers have been impaired by the absence of laws that hold family members accountable for the actions of their female relatives who become suicide bombers. In a culture where women's whereabouts are strictly controlled by their families, he argued that it would seem logical that family members would be aware of female relatives' involvement in terrorist training activities. Ragheb also said the majority of the female suicide bombers are raised in families sympathetic to AQI, and the women are usually married to a member of AQI. Daughters of Iraq Program Fails to Gain Traction -------------- --- ¶8. (C) The CF program to recruit female security guards ) known as the "Daughters of Iraq" - is not currently operational in Diyala province. Provincial officials tell us BAGHDAD 00002048 002 OF 002 this type of program will not help reduce the number of female suicide bombers in Diyala since it is culturally unacceptable for women to be absence from their families for the required one month training period. He added that despite cultural standards, both men and women need to be searched, and the IP has requested special equipment for major check points to specifically detect female suicide bombers. ¶9. (C) Saja also expressed concern that the National Office of Intelligence and Information in Baqubah has not received funding from the GOI. She said the office lacks Internet service and vehicles, and that officers must purchase phone cards out-of-pocket. She commented that there is no incentive for Diyala residents to report information to intelligence officers because no rewards or protection are offered in exchange. ¶10. (C) Comment: The large pool of widows of deceased AQI members is proving to be a key recruiting source for suicide bombers. The GOI and Diyala's provincial government must give serious consideration to developing an adequate force of female police and intelligence officers, as well as developing new tactics to deter women from becoming suicide bombers. End Comment. CROCKER