KARBALA GOVERNOR AND PCOP HIGHKLIGHT SUCCESSFUL ASHURA

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 HILLAH 000010 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 1/24/2018 TAGS: PGOV IZ ASEC SUBJECT: KARBALA GOVERNOR AND PCOP HIGHKLIGHT SUCCESSFUL ASHURA SECURITY AND EMERGING POSITIVE PUBLIC IMAGE OF ISF HILLAH 00000010 001.2 OF 002 CLASSIFIED BY: SIMMONSAT, TEAM LEADER, PRT DIWANIYAH , DOS. REASON: 1.4 (b),(d) Classified by Karbala PRT Leader Angus T. Simmons. REASON: 1.4(b) and (d) ¶1. (U) This is a PRT Karbala Cable. ¶2. (SBU) Summary: On January 21, 2008, BG Cardon, 3ID DCS, members of his staff, PRT Leader and PRToffs met with the Karbala Provincial Governor and the Provincial Chief of Police (PCOP) for a general discussion regarding ISF activities in Karbala Province. A key topic of discussion was the ISF's very successful security operations in Karbala Province during Ashura when an estimated two million pilgrims visited Karbala and Najaf over a two day period without security incidents. The Iraqis attributed their success to a number of factors, including: the very positive public attitude that has emerged towards the ISF, the appointment by GOI of a unified command for ISF under the direction of the PCOP, a detailed and well executed ISF security plan, and CF assistance. The Iraqis cautioned that the expected turn out for the upcoming Arbaeen pilgrimage is four to five times the Ashura attendance and they view this pilgimage as a prime target for extremists, especially since the large number of foreign pilgrims are likely to present a very favorable impression of a peaceful Iraq throughout the international Muslim community. End Summary. ¶3. (C ) On January 21, 2008, BG Cardon, members of BG Cardon's staff, PRT Leader and PRToffs, and the Commander of the MiTT team in Karbala Province, met at FOB Huseiniyah with Karbala Provincial Chief of Police, BG(P) Ra'ad Shaker and Provincial Governor Aqeel Ghazali. Governor Aqeel was delayed and arived for approximately the final quarter of the meeting. ¶4. (C ) BG Ra'ad estimated that over two million pilgrims attended the recent Ashura celebration in Karbala City. (A similar estimate was later given by the Karbala Governor.) BG Ra'ad and other Iraqi sources stated that they had never seen so many pilgrims from outside of Iraq, including Iran. They stated there were no reported incidents of violence in Karbala Province associated with the pilgrimage. It is quite evident from the meetings with BG Ra'ad and Governor Aqeel that the Iraqis are very proud of the incredible success of their efforts to secure and service such a large, international audience of pilgrims. Governor Aqeel said he had received a congratulatory telephone call from the Ministry of National Security who had discussed the matter in a meeting with the Prime Minister. BG Ra'ad and Governor Aqeel noted that the Foreign Ministry planned to expand (perhaps double) the number of visas and travel approvals (they may issue a pilgrimage travel document rather than a visa for Shia pilgrims as a result of this Ashura success.) These leaders are confident that their successful efforts are now big news throughout the Muslim world. BG Cardon noted that he was recently in Zurbatiyah and had spoken to Iranian pilgrims crossing the border into Iraq who said they had been told in Iran the security situation in Karbala and Najaf was improved and safer for travel. ¶5. (C ) BG Ra'ad thanked the CF for their support and then described with no small amount of pride the security plan for Karbala that was put in place for Ashura through the Karbala Operations Center, under his command. He stated through a 3ID interpreter that his operations center "took full authority over IA & IP and created a degree of control that cut to the chase, no other permission was required." He also credits assistance by CF air support. According to BG Ra'ad the ISF operational steps included: (1.) establishment of a strategic area that included the two shrines in Karbala and other related areas, (2.) preemptive moves against potential malefactors, (3.) establishment of well fortified check points as part of a clear show of force, (4.) notification to all check points the names of over 1,200 wanted persons, (5.) detention of numerous "high ranking criminals," (6.) coordinated effort of four battalions of ISF. ¶6. (C ) BG Ra'ad also gave credit to the Iraqi people. Both he and Governor Aqeel described the very positive public reaction to the ISF even while operating in close proximity the two shrines in Karbala. These reports were supported by the MiTT Commander who accompanied the ISF during their patrols in Karbala City. The Iraqis describe a gradual but marked improvement in the public perception of the ISF. BG Ra'ad noted that the citizens who used to throw stones now throw candy. They claim the ISF have earned public appreciation and respect. During a PRT engagement later in the day with a city administrator in Karbala he gestured to a well equipped member of the IA at Huseiniyah noting that he looked like a soldier. He HILLAH 00000010 002.2 OF 002 also pointed with obvious pride to a line of IA HMMVs parked in the adjacent compound. ¶7. (C ) BG Cardon and PRT Leader praised the ISF on the success of their mission. BG Cardon agreed with BG Ra'ad's assessment that the ISF achievement had taken place on an international stage before pilgrims from many nations and brought great honor to all Iraq. Both BG Ra'ad and Governor Aqeel sounded a cautionary note. They expect 8 to 10 million pilgrims in 26 days for Arbaeen's 10 to 12 day duration. BG Ra'ad warns that this presents an ideal target for anti government forces. He noted that with this number of pilgrims, it was impossible to pat down/screen every person. He urged CF to work with MoD and MoI to eliminate administrative issues between MoI and MoD that could hamper the overall success of the mission. He complained that Minister of Interior is often unavailable owing to his travel schedule. He encouraged BG Cardon to push MoD officials to provide his forces with more equipment. At the end of the meeting he also provided MiTT leaders with an extensive wishlist of his needs. FYI: BG Ra'ad has recently received his armored SUV. End FYI. ¶8. (C ) Comment: The Karbala and Najaf provincial governments are both pleased with this Ashura security success and have capitalized on it to develop their tourism industries. BG Ra'ad has now been apppointed to head the Karbala Operations Center (KOC) and appears likely to receive a second star in the near future. The Governor asked that a new Chief of Police would be appointed to take Ra'ad's place, but that this new Chief of Police would be under Ra'ad's command. The KOC commander also has temporary command over IA troops in the province. In subsequent discussions with the MITT Team Leader in Karbala he observed that some in the IA were concerned to be under the command of an IP leader, General Ra'ad. He stated that some members of the IA are concerned about the overall, negative impact this unorthodox arrangement could have on the IA. Some feel that it would be more logical to give the IA overall command. SIMMONS