SOUTHERN IRAQ SITUATION REPORT: MARCH 28, 1300

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 000959 SIPDIS NOFORN SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/30/2018 TAGS: IZ KU MARR MASS MOPS PGOV PREL SUBJECT: SOUTHERN IRAQ SITUATION REPORT: MARCH 28, 1300 LOCAL REF: A. BAGHDAD 00948 ¶B. BAGHDAD 00945 ¶C. BAGHDAD 00933 Classified By: Political-Military Minister-Counselor Marcie B. Ries, Re asons 1.4(b) and (d) SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (S REL MCFI) Fighting continues in numerous areas of Basra city and the surrounding province. Sporadic violence is also reported in other southern provinces as well as Baghdad, which is now under curfew until March 30, 0500 local. Council of Representives (COR) Speaker has called for an emergency session of the COR March 28 at 1500 local to seek reconciliation between Sadrists and the GOI but UIA and Kurdish members are expected to boycott, making the session unlikely. Oil exports have been restored to normal as authorities effected repairs to the pipeline. Shortages of essentials in Basra are affecting the populace. Basra University has sent its dormitory students home. Special Group criminals kidnapped Dr. Tasheen al-Shaikhli, the general secretary of the Council of Ministers, in New Baghdad (ref. A). The International Zone remains under threat of IDF, having received five IDF attacks March 27. IDF continued on March 28 in spite of the round the clock curfew; movement of mission personnel is strictly limited. End Summary. OPERATIONS IN BASRA -------------- ¶2. (S REL AS UK RO GG) Fighting continues in numerous areas within the city. The Provincial Joint Command Center (PJCC) and the Basra Operations Center (BOC) continue to receive Indirect Fire (IDF),as does Basra Palace. Morale in Basrawi elements of the Iraqi army (IA) and police (IP) appears lower than morale of units drawn from other provinces. Those elements also have less stomach for the fight. Accurate casualty numbers are extremely difficult to assess. Numbers from the 14th IA division are: 15 KIA, 76 WIA, 16 WIA at headquarters. Leaflet drops continue. Local media have picked up the "Towards a Better Basra" theme created by the influence group at MND-SE, and giving credit for its origin to Prime Minister Maliki. There are still reports of talks between tribal groups and militias. ¶3. (U) Local media reports 88 dead and that Basra residential university students have been sent home. OIL PIPELINE AND ESSENTIALS -------------- ¶4. (S REL AS UK RO GG) Basra REO spoke with Gov. Wa'eli on March 28 at approximately 0100 local. Wa'eli believed crude exports would be back to normal levels as early as March 29. (Note: Crude oil exports are back to normal as of March 28. End Note.) Although the Al Zubayr pipeline explosion has captured the attention of the media and others, he said the lack of electricity to power pumping stations has had a greater negative effect on the flow of crude. Wa'eli cited the curfew as causing significant shortages of food, water, and other essentials. He said that the central government had agreed to his request to suspend the curfew for a few days beginning March 28 to deliver essentials. IRAQI LEADERSHIP POLITICAL RESPONSE -------------- ¶5. (U) Council of Representatives (COR) Speaker Mashhadani met March 27 evening with leaders of parties represented in the COR to schedule an emergency session of the COR March 28 at 1500 local to address the fighting in Basra, Baghdad, and elsewhere in the country. The session is unlikely to occur due to expected boycott by UIA and Kurdish blocs who can prevent a quorum from being reached. ¶6. (S) Saeed Nama'a Jabr (Strictly Protect) of the Crisis Action Cell Secretariat, told us today that senior political leaders met at the home of former Prime Minister Ibrahim Jafari to convince the Sadrists that Maliki's offensive in Basra is directed against criminal gangs, not the Sadr bloc. They reportedly agreed to review with Maliki his list of targeted criminal leaders to confirm that Sadrists are not being targeted. Maliki has reportedly agreed to this, extending his 72-hour deadline to lay down arms by three hours to accommodate the COR Speaker's call for an emergency session. Sadrists have reportedly agreed to issue an order at the end of the emergency COR session declaring that the BAGHDAD 00000959 002 OF 002 operations in Basra are targeting criminals, not Sadrists. COALITION GOI RELATIONS IN BASRA -------------- ¶7. (S REL UK AS) At the March 28 MND-SE morning briefing, Brig Gen Free (UK) expressed concern about central government perceptions that the British are not providing adequate support. Free said the central government views the UK as "pariahs" that had indiscriminately released criminals who are now engaging ISF in Basra. Despite an ISF operation that has been described as random and poorly planned, Free stressed the importance of MND-SE support, saying "don,t let them fail...they must not fail." Free said US MNC-I liaison officers will be traveling to Basra in an effort to relieve tension between the central government and UK forces. ¶8. (S REL UK AS) According to MND-SE officers at the Combined Basra Operations Center (CBOC),Gen Mohan seems to be back in control of operations. However, ongoing problems remain between Mohan and Gen Aziz, sent to Basra by PM Maliki to direct operations. MND-SE officers at the CBOC believe Aziz wants to take control of operations but has been sidelined by Mohan. They add that Aziz speaks very good English and has a better understanding of the MND-SE support role. He also has been instrumental in sharing information from planning meetings that MND-SE is no longer authorized to attend. ¶9. (S/NF) Maliki criticizes the UK for letting militias take control of Basra and MNF-I for not doing enough to help in the present conflict. Providing Iraqi-requested support is problematic. The Iraqis do not provide accurate coordinates for intelligence surveillance, make last-minute requests, and do not bear in mind rule-of-engagement requirements. MNC-I Commander LTG Austin, accompanied by Embassy PolMil MinCouns Ries, visited Basra palace March 27 and met with the PM to discuss strained relations between Maliki and MND-SE. MNC-I will send March 28 a coordination team at the two-star level to reside in the BOC for three to seven days to assist and support planning; and assist in rebuilding the relationship between Maliki and MND-SE. ACTIVITY IN BAGHDAD -------------- ¶10. (U) Baghdad is under a curfew until March 30, 0500 local. ¶11. (S REL MCFI) MND-B reported a protracted complex attack on an IA checkpoint in Sadr city late March 27 resulting in one IA KIA, 6 IA WIA, and 8 JAM-SG KIA. The IA checkpoint was hit with small arms fire, indirect fire, and RPGs. CF moved to support and evacuate the casualties. With CF air support, IA units were able to hold the checkpoint. ¶12. (S REL MCFI) MND-B also reported 14 IA abducted in Baghdad's Khadamiyah district. Special group criminals kidnapped Dr. Tasheen al-Shaikhli, the general secretary of the Council of Ministers, from his home in New Baghdad (ref. A). They also set fire to his home. KUWAITI CONCERNS -------------- ¶13. (S REL KU) We have received reports that the GOK has increased border controls and forces. PRAYERS -------------- ¶14. (S REL MCFI) Efforts continue to have prayers leaders issue calls for calm and support for the GOI's actions against criminal elements. CROCKER