EPRT DIYALA SOUTH: CRIMINALIZED SONS OF IRAQ

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 002166 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/11/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR PTER PINS IZ SUBJECT: EPRT DIYALA SOUTH: CRIMINALIZED SONS OF IRAQ GROUPS THREATEN GOVERNANCE GAINS IN BAQUBAH REF: BAGHDAD 1338 Classified By: ePRT Diyala South Team Leader Michael Thurston for reaso ns 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (U) This is an ePRT Diyala South reporting cable. Summary -------------- ¶2. (S) The ePRT has received various reports that some SOIs in the provincial capital of Baqubah in Diyala province are engaged in criminal activities and conduct that runs counter to the efforts to revive local city government. Sons of Iraq (SOI) (formerly called Concerned Local Citizens or CLCs),have played an instrumental role in countering AQI extremists in Iraq and transforming the security environment, particularly in the once restive "Sunni Triangle." However, our Iraqi contacts tell us that some SOIs in Baqubah that provide security services in various city neighborhoods have become a hindrance to legitimate city government. There are reports that a few SOIs have evolved into protection rackets that threaten local government officials and conduct kidnappings for profit. These individual groups' activities present a mounting risk to the work of the Diyala South embedded Provincial Reconstruction Team (ePRT) and the progress of the Baqubah City Council. End Summary. Worsening Conduct -------------- ¶3. (S) Instances of SOI misconduct in the Diyala provincial capital of Baqubah have increased from occasional to regular over the last few months. The ePRT is aware of numerous instances of transgressions drawn from victims' accounts, intelligence sources, and direct observation. For instance, Baqubah city officials have told us that some Baqubah SOIs are "exhorting fees" from local Director Generals (DG) to provide protection for projects that are implemented in areas under these SOIs' control. We also have heard that threats against DGs from some SOIs have led to increased absences from work. Kidnappings for Profit -------------- ¶4. (S) There are reports of SOIs in Baqubah using kidnappings as a means to generate money for their activities. Our sources say that in some instances money from kidnappings has gone towards financing SOI political activities. ¶5. (S) One group closely associated with a local SOI group, during an engagement with PRT Diyala in April, threatened violence if the PRT did not provide financial assistance to pay for the balance of the registration fee to become a national political party (reftel). The group's leaders later rescinded those threats when it was able to generate enough revenue to cover the entire fee. Baqubah SOIs Intimidate Local Officials and Residents -------------- -------------- ¶6. (S) In February, kidnappers, described as a SOI group from the Hamaz faction, reportedly abducted the local manager of water. According to our sources, they demanded money, stole his vehicle, and told him his office would have to pay for repairs to water pipes in the areas that the SOI controls. Thus far, the manager has refused to name the individuals responsible for fear of reprisals. The local manager of sewers also was reportedly threatened by a SOI in Baqubah. ¶7. (S) There are reports of SOI members pressuring Baqubah City Council members to appoint individuals closely associated with this SOI to the council. This SOI has reportedly threatened to falsely accuse city council members of supporting Al Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) if they refuse to cooperate. These types of accusations often lead to arrest and detention by police for one year or more while the charges are investigated. ¶8. (S) The ePRT also has received reports from one area in Baqubah that a SOI demanded money from displaced former residents attempting to return to their homes. According to our sources, failure to pay extortion fees means denial of access to their homes and/or false accusations of being Jaysh Al Mahdi (JAM) or Al Qaeda supporters. It is alleged that this same Baqubah group charges residents in the area a monthly protection fee. ¶9. (S) In another part of Baqubah, one SOI has encouraged BAGHDAD 00002166 002 OF 002 business owners to build on property belonging to the Ministry of Health. The businesses are then forced to pay a "permission fee" to remain in that location, in addition to the normal rent and fees for SOI protection. When city officials tried to evict the trespassing businesses, the SOI that controls that area intervened and drove the city officials off. Comment -------------- ¶10. (S) SOI groups have played a critical role working in tandem with Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) in Baqubah and elsewhere to restore security in areas once controlled by insurgent groups. However, the increasing instances of criminal behavior by some SOI groups in Baqubah are beginning to have a marked impact on local governance development. The Baqubah City Council and its leadership have worked hard to reassert government control, which, until last year, remained largely under the control of AQI. From August 2007 when Coalition Forces retook control of the city until now, the Baqubah City Council has made incremental administrative progress. However, license and use fees and rents on leases still remain uncollected since at least 2003. Essential services are slowly improving but further improvement is hampered by local SOI misconduct, which includes intimidation of city personnel who often must seek the permission of SOIs who control these areas before they are able to collect fees or provide services. ¶11. (S) Continued Comment. Coalition Forces (CF) are addressing these allegations and have initiated an information operation campaign in Diyala that is specifically designed to emphasize the need for professional behavior among all SOIs. The campaign includes handbills for distribution that reinforce the importance of professional behavior that complements the rule of law. In all CF engagements with SOIs, professionalism is a standard talking point. CF are hopeful that continued engagement and emphasis on SOI professionalism and lawful behavior will help defeat illicit activity, and will also help to reinforce the significant contribution these organizations have made to the improvement of security in Diyala province. End Comment. CROCKER