US Army In The Iraq War Volume 2 Ch 4 “The Awakening Gathers Momentum”

Chapter 4 of the second volume in the U.S. army’s history of the Iraq War is about how the Anbar Awakening expanded in the province. That eventually led to other tribes and insurgent groups to turn against the Islamic State of Iraq across central Iraq in what became known as the sahwa.

Security In Iraq February 15-21, 2024

For the second week in a row there were no reported attacks by either the Islamic State or pro-Iran groups in Iraq.

New Provincial Govts In Iraq After Dec Election

 

Most of the new provincial governments in Iraq were decided in February. The Coordination Framework took most of the governors as expected because their main rival Muqtada al-Sadr boycotted. The list did not have its way however.

Final Results For Iraq’s Provincial Elections

(Wikipedia)

The final results of Iraq’s provincial elections have been announced. The ruling Coordination Framework won the most seats and wants to control the south. That will put it into conflict with several governors that won the most votes in their governorates. On the other hand the Kurds misplayed their hand running separately because the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) wanted to dominate the community.

Coordination Framework Looks To Take Control Of Most Of Iraq’s Provinces

As expected the ruling Coordination Framework was the biggest winner in Iraq’s 2023 provincial elections. Even though it ran as three separate lists, Nuri al-Maliki’s State of Law, Hadi Amiri’s Nabni, and Haidar al-Abadi and Ammar Hakim’s National State Forces Alliance, they won the most seats up for grabs on governorate councils. They will now re-unite and attempt to control most of Iraq’s provinces solidifying their hold on the Iraqi state.

US Finally Retaliates Against Pro-Iran Groups In Iraq

(US Air Force)

Starting in October pro-Iran groups have been attacking Iraqi bases that house American troops to show that they stand with the Palestinians and against the Biden Administration’s backing of Israel. That escalated in November as ballistic missiles were employed for the first time leading to U.S. casualties. Washington responded with strikes on Hashd groups in Iraq.

Security In Iraq Jul 15-21, 2023

The Islamic State barely operates in Iraq these days. The third week of July was another example of that. There were only 2 security incidents reported compared to 3 the second week of July and just 1 the first week. This was the 24th straight week that incidents were in single digits. Overall 26 of the 27 weeks so far in 2023 have seen single digit violence.

Security In Iraq Jul 8-14, 2023

Security remained unchanged in Iraq during the second week of July. The Islamic State remains at its lowest point in its history and the insurgency is largely over.

Review Impossible Victory, How Iraq Defeated ISIS

Al-Abadi, Haider, Impossible Victory, How Iraq Defeated ISIS, Croydon: Biteback Publishing, 2022

 

Impossible Victory, How Iraq Defeated ISIS is an autobiography written by former Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi. It was probably ghost written and starts off like a personalized version of government press releases. Abadi paints himself as an underdog who always had to fight against the odds from becoming the leader of Iraq to the war against the Islamic State. That’s all to be expected, but when the war begins the book becomes a re-writing of history as he omits and glosses over all the problems and abuses that occurred during the conflict.

Increased Displacement In Iraq Due To Climate Change

(IOM)

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) just issued a new report about continued displacement in central and southern Iraq due to climate change. The situation has gotten worse with more families leaving the land and the government appears to be incapable of providing help.

Violence Drops In Iraq In January 2023

 

Violence dropped in Iraq from December 2022 to January 2023. The Islamic State has been quiet since a short summer offensive. However, there was a small uptick in activity by pro-Iran groups during the month.

Violence Slightly Up In Iraq As Islamic State Launches Revenge Campaign

 

Violence in Iraq slightly increased in December as the Islamic State launched a revenge campaign for the death of its leader. Pro-Iran groups also carried out one attack during the month. Overall attacks remained at an all-time low however.

Security In Iraq Dec 1-7, 2022

At the start of December there was a jump in attacks by the Islamic State. This might have been in response to the group announcing the death of its leader Abu Al Hassan Al-Hashemi Al-Qurashi. It wanted to show that it was still around after this loss by increasing operations in Iraq.

Violence In Iraq At An All-Time Low

Violence in Iraq remains at an all-time low. In November there were only 23 security incidents reported. That was the same amount as October. Those were the lowest monthly totals since 2003.

Violence Hits New Low In Iraq

Violence has been dropping in Iraq since the Islamic State’s annual summer offensive ended. October saw the lowest monthly incident total since 2003.

3 Year Anniversary of Iraq’s Protests Shows Dwindling Movement

Demonstration in Maysan to mark 3 yr anniversary of protest movement (Al Mirbad)

October 25 marked the three-year anniversary of Iraq’s protest movement. People came out in 10 provinces but not in the large numbers seen in previous times.

Security In Iraq Oct 1-7, 2022

With the Islamic State’s summer offensive over security largely went back to normal at the start of October. Insurgent attacks were in single digits. There were no incidents by pro-Iran groups who were too busy fighting their rivals the Sadrists in the south.

Islamic State’s Summer Offensive Ends With A Whimper

September 2022 marked the end of the Islamic State’s annual summer offensive. It paled in comparison to previous years in the number and types of attacks the group was able to carry out.

Security In Iraq Sep 8-14, 2022

It appears that the Islamic State’s short lived summer offensive is over after just one month. This was the latest sign that the insurgency is barely hanging on in Iraq.

Security In Iraq Sep 1-7, 2022

The Islamic State continued with its annual summer offensive into the start of September. That being said the number of attacks is far below previous campaigns. There was also one incident by pro-Iran groups.