Iraq Situation Report: March 12-13, 2015

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Various Iraqi forces are pressuring ISIS on three different fronts, all of which are of strategic importance to the organization. ISIS will therefore likely attempt to escalate its attacks elsewhere to divert the resources of these forces

1 On March 12, an anonymous security source in Salah al-Din stated that Iraqi army (IA),
police, and the “Popular Mobilization” had arrived in central Tikrit. On March 13, an
anonymous military source stated that the operation would not advance until reinforcements
arrived. Leader of Badr Organization Hadi al-Ameri expressed condence in a positive
outcome from the ght but maintained that the combined forces needed time. In a recent
statement Defense Minister Khaled al-Obeidi claimed that security forces and the “Popular
Mobilization” fully controlled Tikrit.

2 A Humvee SVBIED targeted a military headquarters in al-Dayom
area in northwestern Tikrit district, killing six Iraqi Army (IA) soldiers
and injuring 10 others.

3 A security source in Salah al-Din stated that
clashes continued throughout the night on the
outskirts of al-Qadisiyah neighborhood, north of
Tikrit, between “joint security forces” and ISIS as
combined forces “attempt to control the area.” e
clashes killed three members of the joint forces. e
source indicated that reinforcements arrived in the area.

4 On March 13, a source in the command of the “Popular Mobilization” stated that ISIS
launched an attack on al-Hwesh area, west of Samarra, that lasted throughout the night. ISIS
initiated the attack by deploying what was reported to be over two dozen SVBIEDs that were
foiled by members of the Nujaba Movement, although this report may be exaggerated. Clashes
erupted after the initial attack with the Nujaba Movement and Federal Police battling ISIS
leaving a reported 75 ISIS members and eight members of the “Popular Mobilization” dead
and 10 others injured.

5 On March 12, forces from the Peshmerga, Turkmen volunteers, “police,” and “Popular Mobilization” launched an operation to retake Bashir village, south of Kirkuk city. e operation initiated clashes with ISIS that killed four members of the “Popular Mobilization” and injured 35 others. e forces have reportedly recaptured two villages on the way to Bashir: Sheikh Fanar al-Obeidi and Shamsiya. A leader in the “Popular Mobilization” stated that the Peshmerga attacked the village from the west with the “Popular Mobilization” approaching from the east. A separate initial report indicated that the forces surrounded and then successfully retook Bashir, although this remains unconrmed

6 On March 12, Peshmerga forces launched an operation to
take control of villages located near the Nahrawan area,
southwest of Kirkuk city. Also, a Peshmerga commander stated
that the Peshmerga took control of Multaqa sub-district, along
with 15 villages southwest of Kirkuk. On March 13, an anonymous
security source stated that “Popular Mobilization” and
Peshmerga forces took control of the Yarmouk compound
and a village in the Rashad sub-district, southwest of
Kirkuk. e composition of the “Popular Mobilization”
is unclear in this case and it is likely that the source
was referencing to local Iraqi Sunni tribal
ghters. U.S. CENTCOM stated that on
March 12 ve coalition airstrikes “near
Kirkuk” struck an ISIS tactical unit
and destroyed ve excavators,
three vehicles, and a VBIED.
On March 13, a coalition
airstrike struck a tactical unit
and destroyed an armored
vehicle.

. – See more at: http://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iraq-situation-report-march-12-13-2015#sthash.0fOf7E19.dpuf

Iraq Crisis Situation Report No.31 (7 - 13 February 2015)

Highlights
 ISIL seizes large parts of al-Baghdadi
 WFP begins food distributions in Zummar and AlQuosh;
assessments ongoing
 In Erbil, 1,000 IDPs at Debagah site in need of
WASH assistance
 Situation in Kirkuk remains tense. Aid agencies
operate with caution
 Further support for Al-Wand IDP camp needed
(Diyala)

Situation Overview
No new displacement has been reported in Anbar Governorate after fighters belonging to the Islamic State of Iraq
and the Levant (ISIL) seized large parts of the western town of al-Baghdadi on 12 February, threatening an
airbase where US soldiers are training Iraqi troops, about 85 km northwest of Ramadi. ISIL attacked al-Baghdadi
from two directions before advancing on the town. Until its fall, al-Baghdadi was one of the few towns in western
Anbar still held by the Iraqi army.
Families are reportedly too afraid to flee until clashes calm down before moving to another location, the
International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported, which continues to monitor the situation. According to the
latest IOM Displacement Tracking Matrix, there are currently 373,302 people displaced within Anbar Governorate
(as of 29 January 2015). For months, ISIL had surrounded the town’s parameter preventing much needed
humanitarian assistance of reaching residents, local aid workers confirm. ISIL is reportedly preventing residents
from leaving the city.
The World Food Programme (WFP) has started food distribution through partners in Zummar and Al-Quosh
(Ninewa Governorate). There remains an information gap on returnee population and associated protection
concerns. Partners from the food security cluster are undertaking assessments in newly accessible areas,
including around 15-17 villages in Ninewa Governorate. A handful of partners have been already begun working
in four areas of Ninewa. OCHA is supporting agencies by negotiating and advocating for easy access to the
recovered areas through authorities from Ninewa.
An NGO Consortium has started the Camp Management Project, which will cover 11 out of 14 open camps in
Dahuk. Support will be provided in three areas of camp management – protection, community participation and
information management.
Map Source(s): CODs. The boundaries and names shown and the
designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or
acceptance by the United Nations. Map created on 15 February 2015.

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