SOUTHERN IRAQ SITUATION REPORT: MARCH 26, 23:00

S E C R E T BAGHDAD 000933

SIPDIS

NOFORN
SIPDIS

C O R R E C T E D COPY CAPTION
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/26/2018
TAGS: PGOV IZ PINS MOPS
SUBJECT: SOUTHERN IRAQ SITUATION REPORT: MARCH 26, 23:00
LOCAL


Classified By: Political Counselor Matt Tueller for reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d).


1. (S/NF) Summary and comment: The below is a situation
report for Basrah and other southern provinces, reflecting
reporting from PRTs and REOs, open-source media, and Embassy
Baghdad. In Basrah, militants have entrenched themselves in
several neighborhoods in response to the ISF offensive.
Tensions persist between national and provincial GOI
leadership. According to military assessments, JAM is able
to resist ISF for at least another 24-48 hours, if not
longer.


2. (S/NF) Meanwhile ongoing violence in Basrah will continue
to fuel unrest throughout the south, particularly in urban
areas dominated by JAM. Most of south-central Iraq remains
tense but stable, but the situation in Maysan and Wasit has
deteriorated since March 25 with multiple reports of JAM
violence against ISF and government targets. The seeming
inability of Sadrist politicians to rein in JAM is revealing
deep fissures within the movement. However, the longer the
violence continues the greater the chance that ongoing ISF
operations will provide a rallying cry to unite moderates and
militant strands within the Sadrist movement. End summary and
comment.

Fighting continues in Basrah
--------------


3. (S/NF) In Basrah fighting continues between ISF and JAM,
with JAM heavily entrenched in several key neighborhoods.
ISF have made some gains but experienced some disturbing
losses. At least 2 IP stations have been overrun, and
militants have taken control of an ISF ammunition depot. A
large number of residents have fled, anticipating that these
neighborhoods will be the decisive battle for control of the
city. According to MND-SE, ISF have cordoned off all major
routes into Hayyaniya. In Timimyah, another JAM stronghold,
two prominent JAM members were reported killed. The CBOC has
moved into the Shatt Al Arab hotel and has taken heavy fire.
The situation has also deteriorated outside of Basrah, with 2
IP stations overrun in az-Zubayr and 2 private security
contractors killed by an IED in the oil fields.


4. (S/NF) At approximately 1400 on March 26, REO spoke with
PM Maliki and Amer Al-Faiz, Head of the Legal Support
Committee. Al-Faiz said Sadrists approached him and the PM
to request negotiations. The PM stressed the importance of
reestablishing rule of law, adding that he would not disrupt
operations to give criminals time to regain strength. As a
compromise facilitated by Al-Faiz, the PM offered a 72 hour
deadline for militants to surrender heavy and medium weapons
and explosives and hand over specific criminals to the ISF.
REO also spoke with Gen Mohan. While his role remains
unclear, he is still very involved in operations. Mohan said
flyers were dropped this afternoon in Hyyaniyah, a JAM
stronghold, advising civilians to keep their distance from
militants. According to the latest reports Mohan is leading
troops on the ground.


5. (S//NF) REO called Governor Wa'eli to ask about his role
in the operation. Wa'eli said he received a phone call from
the PM requesting his assistance but reportedly remains
unsupportive of the operation. According to Wa'eli, Maliki
asked him to coordinate the handover of weapons with militia
and community leaders in the city.

Maysan and Wasit: Situation deteriorating
--------------


6. (S/NF) Muhammed Wahid Khalil, the government-appointed
PRT security contact, confirmed that an IA convoy was
attacked on March 25 due to rumors that the IA intended to
conduct operations in Amarah. Khalil also confirmed that an
oil pipeline was destroyed but blamed the destruction on
local tribes.


7. (S/NF) Maysan PRT also reported that two local
businessmen blamed JAM for: attacking IP checkpoints and
killing 5 policemen; destroying the oil pipeline in Musharah;
attacking a GRS-constructed 400kv power station; burning
local Badr offices. The contacts said JAM has taken over
Amarah and that local residents are afraid to leave their
homes. The Maysan Chief of Justice said that JAM went into
local courthouses and expelled all of the officials. There
are media reports that JAM burned down the local Da'wa office
on March 25. Military reporting confirms that a local power
station was destroyed and that ISF have withdrawn from Amarah
due to JAM attacks. Crews attempting to fight fires at the
damaged oil pipeline have been forced to withdraw due to
small arms fire.


8. (S/NF) In Wasit fighting between ISF and militant JAM
members began on March 25 and further escalated on March 26.
Sadrist politicians have made public statements urging JAM to
respect the cease-fire but have admitted they are unable to
control the violence. In late morning and early afternoon,
militia focused attacks on the Governance Center and
intelligence reports indicated militants may be trying to
assassinate the Wasit governor. In late afternoon, 8th IA
Division CG, an additional IA company and ODA with Kut SWAT
reinforced ISF. As of 2100 hours, PC Chairman, Mohammed
Hasan Jabir, told PRT that ISF had reestablished control of
central Al Kut. Southern Kut neighborhoods are still
reportedly controlled by militia. IP reported &many8
arrests and casualties.
CROCKER