POPULAR KARBALA ISF COMMANDER SURVIVES OUSTER

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 003165

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/01/2018
TAGS: PGOV PINR IZ
SUBJECT: POPULAR KARBALA ISF COMMANDER SURVIVES OUSTER
ATTEMPT

REF: BAGHDAD 2967

Classified By: Karbala PRT Leader Don Cooke for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

(U) This is a PRT Karbala Reporting Cable


1. (C) Summary: Karbala ISF commander MG Ra'ad Shaker Jawdat
al-Hasnawi,s reassignment as security chief in Diyala
Province was rescinded. In response to Provincial Council
pressure, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki reversed an earlier
decision to transfer Ra'ad. Ra'ad is credited with ushering
in stability by breaking the back of the Shi'a militias. The
ISF commander's growing popularity, in spite of his heavy
handed tactics, was resented by political rivals,
particularly Da'wa Party rival Governor Aqeel Mahmoud
al-Khazali. The failed attempt to remove Ra'ad is a blow to
Governor Aqeel and may have embarrassed PM Maliki. End
Summary.

Transfer order
--------------


2. (SBU) On September 21, according to police contacts,
Karbala ISF commander MG Ra'ad Shaker Jawdat al-Hasnawi was
assigned to serve as chief of the Iraqi Police (IP) in Diyala
Province. On September 23, Karbala radio, quoting an unnamed
official source, reported that Ra'ad's transfer came at the
personal request of PM Maliki. Other PRT contacts claim the
transfer order was initiated by Karbala Province Governor
Aqeel Mahmoud al-Khazali. Abd al-Mahdi al-Karbala'i, Grand
Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani's deputy, allegedly raised the issue
with Maliki during the PM's visit to Karbala.

Public Outcry and Order Rescinded
--------------


3. (SBU) A source close to senior police officials said
120-150 people protested in Karbala demanding Maliki reverse
his decision to transfer Ra'ad to Diyala. Protesters carried
banners stating "We Want Ra'ad and No One Else" and "We Have
Witnessed Great Stability Under Ra'ad's Leadership." The
Provincial Council (PC) also expressed its support for Ra'ad.
Deputy Chairman Hamid al-Turfi announced that the PC would
ask Iraqi military leadership to delay implementation of the
order for security's sake. PM Maliki reportedly suspended
Ra'ad's transfer to Diyala Province.

Not Everyone Satisfied
--------------


4. (C) Ra'ad's tenure as ISF Commander in Karbala since April
2007 saw a dramatic improvement in security. Ra'ad and his
deputy, Major Ali Hamid Hashim, have a reputation for dealing
quickly and severely with miscreants. The August 2007
violence, that marred last year's Shabaniyah observances,
gave Ra'ad and Ali the pretext to go hammer-and-tongs after
the Shi'a militias. Hundreds of Jaysh al-Mahdi (JAM) and
Badr Corps suspects were detained, run out of town or went
into hiding. Ra'ad reveled in his growing popularity and
missed few opportunities to sing his own praises.


5. (C) Karbala's civilian leaders regard Ra'ad with a mixture
of fear, envy and contempt. Governor Aqeel in particular
resents the ISF commander's popularity. As security
improved, citizens questioned the ISF's continued use of
heavy-handed tactics. The business community complains that
ISF checkpoints strangle traffic and impede economic
progress. Karbala farmers from former Sadrist strongholds
al-Husayniyah and al-Hindiyah (whence Maliki hails) often
charge the ISF with abuse.


6. (C) Aqeel's discontent with Ra'ad became increasingly
apparent. On September 10, the Governor announced that he
would shut down 76 ISF checkpoints and 90 police watchtowers,
stating that the province could not be held captive to
security measures. IP contacts informed the PRT that a
special committee arrived from Baghdad to investigate
allegations of police brutality. The IP in Karbala claim
that the committee was formed at Maliki's request and that it
was directed to investigate leadership issues.


7. (C) Comment: The attempt to transfer Ra,ad failed and
the order transferring the ISF commander is officially on
hold. The order may never be formally revoked, but this is
of little consequence. Ra,ad himself has put on a brave
face, even suggesting that he orchestrated the transfer order
as a way to demonstrate his popularity and silence his
critics. Governor Aqeel is the loser in the affair. Not
only did Aqeel fail publicly, but he managed to embarrass PM
Maliki who was surprised by Ra'ad's broad support. Ra,ad
has not emerged unscathed, having been saved by a group of
politicians whom he views with contempt. It is uncertain

BAGHDAD 00003165 002 OF 002


whether the ISF commander will retain his existing
portfolios, such as Director General of the Police. Both
Aqeel and Ra,ad have national ambitions, neither of which
are served well by this latest affair. End Comment.
CROCKER