IRAQ ARMY GENERAL: SECURITY IS STABLE IN DIWANIYAH BUT

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 HILLAH 000017

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 2/20/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL IZ
SUBJECT: IRAQ ARMY GENERAL: SECURITY IS STABLE IN DIWANIYAH BUT
PESSIMISTIC ABOUT JAM CEASE-FIRE

CLASSIFIED BY: Robert Pitre, PRT Team Leader, REO Al Hillah,
Department of State.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(c),(d)





1. (S/NF) Summary: Eighth Iraq Army Division (8th IAD)
Major-General Farhood Uthman believes the general security
situation in south central Iraq is good, although he fears a
return of insurgent activity in Diwaniyah is possible. He
believes the JAM cease-fire will not hold and said that local
police are under-funded and under-equipped. He also said that
the Diwaniyah Province Governor has been more cooperative
recently with coalition forces. End Summary.


2. (S/NF) On January 30, PRT Team Leader (with former PRT
Leader along to make introductions) and PRToffs traveled to
Diwaniyah for the MND CS change-of-command ceremony for newly
arrived Major-General Andrej Malinowski. That afternoon we met
with Eighth Iraq Army Division (8th IAD) Major-General Farhood
Uthman, whose command extends over Qadasiyah, Najaf, Karbala,
Wasit, and Babil provinces.

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General Security Situation
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3. (S/NF) Uthman offered a reasonably upbeat assessment of the
improved security climate around Diwaniyah. Although there are
challenges, Uthman said that after Operation Lion's Pounce
(where coalition forces launched a major operation against JAM
elements to establish control over the eastern part of the city,
which had been heavily infiltrated and had become a JAM
stronghold),the region has quieted, security has been
established, and "Diwaniyah is waiting" for the PRT's relocation
to Camp Echo.

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Insurgents Attempting to Return to Diwaniyah
-------------- --------------


4. (S/NF) Although Uthman estimates that 70 percent of the
insurgent element in Diwaniyah has been captured, he believes
that they are again recruiting. The province was quiet for the
Shi'a holy days of Ashura; however, Uthman fears that insurgents
will try to take advantage of Arbayeen (40 days after Ashura),
when he expects approximately six million people to travel to
the region. Uthman believes that insurgents are trying to
return to the city because "Diwaniyah is the heart of South
Central Iraq."


5. (S/NF) During Arbayeen, as the GOI focuses security in the
Karbala region, Uthman fears that insurgents will regroup
outside Karbala, where they'll expect the security presence to
be less heavy. Uthman said that he has been preoccupied with
security preparations, including an extensive plan for vehicle
checks at the province's and city's borders. Uthman said that
the IA will begin screening and tracking pilgrims from the time
they enter Diwaniyah en route to Karbala.


6. (S/NF) When asked whether a second IAD battalion had been
authorized for the province, Uthman responded that no final
decision had been reached but that a second battalion is
essential to maintain order.

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JAM
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7. (S/NF) Uthman is not optimistic the JAM cease-fire will
hold. JAM "continues to engage in activities and are not even
following in full the cease-fire." He believes that the JAM
leadership would like a return to violence to destabilize and
gain advantage in the run up to local elections.

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Local police
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8. (S/NF) Although the local police force remains heavily
infiltrated with militia members, the quality of the force is
improving. Uthman (who enjoys a close relationship with the
local police chief, Brigadier-General Safa Kadum Jassim) stated
that the police need more support, such as basic equipment,
suitable vehicles, and proper buildings.


9. (S/NF) When queried about a report that a T-72 tank had been
sighted outside a police office, General Uthman responded
emphatically that the tank belonged to the Iraqi Army and that
he had twelve under his command.


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The Governor
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10. (S/NF) Although Uthman and coalition forces have not had a
warm relationship with Diwaniyah Governor Al-Khudar (ISCI/Badr)
in the past, Uthman believes that the Governor has been reaching
out to, and has been more cooperative with, coalition forces.
Uthman theorizes that the Governor is reaching out politically
for electoral purposes. He thinks that local elections could be
held as soon as three months from now.


11. (S/NF) Comment: We are encouraged by Uthman's assessment
that the security situation in Diwaniyah has been stabilized.
Although there have been fears of a recent insurgent return into
Diwaniyah city, another of our interlocutors discounts those
fears ("I don't see it"). End Comment.
PITRE