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Iraq

Iraq Protection Cluster: Anbar Returnee Profile - February 2017

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GENERAL CONTEXT

In February, curfews, search operations and arrest of 84 persons suspected of various criminal offences were conducted in areas of return in Anbar.

The dire situation in the three western districts still under control of extremist groups continues to affect stability in neighboring districts, such as Rutba and Haditha which have large number of returnees. On 24 February, extremists attacked the Trebil border guards at the border crossing with Jordan in Rutba killing 17 border guards.

The Tribal Council asked the authorities and the ISF to fully implement all articles of the “Covenant of People of Anbar”, on grounds of security. UNHCR continued to raise serious protection concerns about provisions of the covenant such as elevation of tribal laws over regular justice mechanisms and collective punishment, which could lead to a high risk of increased evictions for persons/families accused of being affiliated to extremist groups, without due process.

After access being barred for three days, Anbar's residents were allowed to access Baghdad on 21 February through Al-Soqour checkpoint. This allowed for ease of movement for government employees/students among IDPs and returnees. It was also observed that the authorities at Al-Soqour checkpoint are now more flexible in giving access to Baghdad for individuals with residency cards issued in Baghdad. However despite the lifting of access restrictions, on most days there were long queues of private vehicles and trucks awaiting permission to cross the checkpoint on both directions.

Allegations have persisted of armed actors demanding payments at checkpoints especially from trucks carrying construction materials, which has the potential to hamper the reconstruction efforts in a governorate with widespread destruction of properties and critical infrastructure.

IDP returns from the Kirkuk and KR-I governorates through Baghdad northern checkpoint of Al-Sha’ab continue to be limited to twice daily (mornings and afternoons) with about 15-20 families per movement.

Convoys of returnees to Anbar are usually escorted by the ISF who confiscate IDs to limit the movement of returnees who are not allowed to stop in Baghdad for any reasons. During the reporting period, on most days there were long queues of returnee families reportedly waiting at Al-Sha’ab checkpoint, with some spending the night in the nearby mosque waiting for ISF escort.