Key Takeaways:
Operations to Clear Mosul’s Old City See Slow Progress; Use of White Phosphorous of Concern – Iraqi Security Forces continued their push into the last neighborhoods controlled by ISIS in western Mosul, preparing for their final assault of the militants’ Old City stronghold. After nearly six months of intense fighting, ISIS militants have been defeated in all but one district. Yet, the frontlines remain fluid, and ISIS fighters have reportedly attempted to escape or launch attacks against security forces, with the help of sleeper cells embedded in previously-cleared areas. As the battle for Mosul enters its final stages, concern is rising over the troubling use of indiscriminate weapons. On June 13, the U.S.-led international coalition admitted for the first time that it had used white phosphorous during operations in western Mosul, ostensibly to provide a smokescreen for fleeing civilians. While white phosphorous is not banned by international conventions, its use in urban centers can be extremely dangerous. Amnesty International claimed that its use in city centers “constitutes an indiscriminate attack and can be a war crime.” Human Rights Watch separately raised concerns regarding the use of artillery delivered-white phosphorus by coalition forces in Iraq and Syria following the Mosul report. more…
ISIS Brutality in Mosul Results in Hundreds of Fatalities – The rate of civilian displacement from Mosul has risen sharply despite ISIS efforts to kill those attempting to flee. This highlights the desperate choice many residents face in the city’s last militant-controlled areas. According to UN reports, ISIS militants have increased efforts to target and execute civilians caught trying to flee into liberated neighborhoods, killing over 200 people between May 26 and June 8. Meanwhile, ISIS militants have continued to rely on human shields to slow security forces’ advance into Mosul’s Old City, kidnapping and relocating families as the militants retreat. As a result, U.S.-led coalition and Iraqi airstrikes have resulted in rising civilian casualties over the past week. more…
Displacement Rates from Western Mosul Sharply on the Rise; Food Poisoning Sickens Hundreds at Nearby IDP Camp – Between June 8 and 10, nearly 18,000 civilians reportedly fled western Mosul and surrounding districts, including 6,000 people from the frontline Zanjili neighborhood – a relatively enormous surge in displacement. Most displaced civilians have to-date relocated to liberated areas of eastern Mosul, as severe fighting and lack of access to food, water, and electricity plague western neighborhoods. Meanwhile, IDPs housed in camps have also faced humanitarian challenges. On June 12, 200 people were hospitalized following a severe outbreak of food poisoning at Hasansham U2 Displacement Camp, 20 km east of Mosul; some reports also indicate that two people died, although this claim has not been confirmed. The Iraqi Parliament has opened an investigation into the food poisoning, and a number of Qatari charity workers were reportedly arrested on suspicion of providing expired food to the camp residents. This incident highlighted the difficult conditions for IDPs living inside and outside camps across northern Iraq. As summer temperatures rise to 40-50 degrees Celsius, humanitarian organizations have warned of deteriorating humanitarian conditions as water and food supplies dwindle. more…
Iraqi Kurdistan Continues to Press Independence Referendum Despite Objections – Following the declaration by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) that an independence referendum would be held on September 25, U.S. officials warned that such a referendum will distract from “more urgent priorities,” including the fight against ISIS. The U.K. government echoed this line a few days later, following its ambassador’s meeting with KRG Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also condemned the KRG’s move, declaring that it is “wrong and poses a threat to the unity of Iraq.” However, Kirkuk Provincial Governor Najmaddin Karim announced his support for the referendum, which would likely merge the Kirkuk Provincial Council (KCP) with the KRG and lead to possible independence from Iraq. The fact that the proposed referendum will include disputed territories in Kirkuk and Ninewa has elicited sharp criticism from Baghdad. Meanwhile, representatives from the KRG’s two largest political parties – the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) – announced that the Kurdish Parliament will reconvene, with members from a third party, Gorran, being allowed to resume their functions. The Parliament has not met since 2015. more…
U.S. Toughens Removal Order Enforcement; Prepares to Deport Hundreds of Iraqis – Immigration authorities in the U.S. arrested hundreds of Christian Iraqis – many of whom have been in the country for decades – following raids in downtown Detroit and other cities. Those detained had reportedly been convicted of criminal charges, although in many cases they had finished serving their sentences years earlier. According to U.S. officials, this new crackdown is “a result of recent negotiations between the U.S. and Iraq…Baghdad has agreed recently to accept a number of Iraqi nationals subject to orders of removal.” It is feared that those detained will face discrimination, violence, and death if they are to be deported back to Iraq. more…
Gulf State Diplomatic Row with Qatar Partially Caused by Ransom Payment – On June 9, the Financial Times reported that 26 members of a royal Qatari hunting party kidnapped in southern Iraq in April 2017 were released after paying a US$ 1 billion ransom to two blacklisted organizations: an al-Qaeda affiliate fighting in Syria, and Iranian security officials. These payments caused regional tensions between Qatar and its Gulf neighbors to escalate, as they seemingly proved Saudi and UAE allegations that Qatar provides funding for terrorist groups throughout the region. Meanwhile, Iraqi President Fuad Masum announced Iraq’s readiness to mediate the current Gulf crisis, and Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi reaffirmed Iraq’s neutrality in the diplomatic dispute. more…
Security Situation Along Salah ad-Din, Diyala Borders Remains Uncertain – As it faces defeat in Mosul, ISIS has stepped up destabilizing attacks along the border between Salah ad-Din and Diyala Provinces. Local leaders in Diyala have struggled to stem the flow of ISIS militants into their province, and last week announced a plan to construct a 12 kilometer security trench along the road from Kirkuk to Baghdad to address rising violence. Meanwhile, the Iraqi Air Force has increased its targeting of ISIS positions along the Salah ad-Din and Diyala borders, as ground skirmishes between ISIS militants and security forces continue. more…
For more background on most of the institutions, key actors, political parties, and locations mentioned in our takeaways or in the stories that follow, see the ISHM Reference Guide.