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According to the latest UN estimate, 5.2 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance in Iraq. To discuss that challenge, EPIC convened a distinguished panel with Francois Stamm of ICRC, Michel Gabaudan of Refugees International, Joe Stork of Human Rights Watch, and Nancy Youssef of The Daily Beast. Hosted by the Iraqi Cultural Center on January 16, 2015, the panelists offered insights on the deepening crisis, the opaqueness of the current military campaign, and warnings for the future of international aid in Iraq, as the fight against ISIS and inadequate shelter leaves many Iraqi families out in the cold. - See more at: www.epic-usa.org/19-out-in-the-co…sh.AqSMxpq6.dpuf
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work in Bzeibiz
Bzeibiz, IRAQ – On June 17, the second event under Soccer Salam’s summer cycle successfully distributed food items, medications, and water tanks in Bzeibiz, an area previously untouched by humanitarian aid.
Our partner on the ground, the Iraq Health Aid Organization (IHAO), led by Hala al-Sarraf, facilitated the visit to Bzeibiz accompanied by another NGO partner who wished to report on the distribution and to contribute aid efforts to the area. The more International NGOs involved with our visits the better! With NGOs reviewing and circulating news of the realities of the humanitarian crisis, Soccer Salam is able to earn more support towards helping overcome the damaging effects of ISIS on the displaced children and families of Iraq.
IHAO’s visit to Bzeibiz was approved by Iraq’s Office of People’s Affairs under the Prime Minister’s Cabinet, who supplied them with vehicle passes. The distribution team expected to reach Bzeibiz early in the morning, but due to reports of car bombs in the area, two truckloads of humanitarian aid goods and two cars were not allowed to pass through the required security checkpoint until 3:00 pm. The delay of the two-hour drive from Baghdad into the heat of the day added to the preexisting stress of maintaining safety in a desolate and remote area of the desert of the Anbar province. Soccer Salam’s partners pushed forward, determined to deliver aid even in the face of danger.
Wednesday’s mission is the largest thus far for Soccer Salam’s summer aid. The distribution included several key elements to summertime survival for the IDPs in Bzeibiz: medicine, water, food and other personal items.
Medications were donated to IHAO, who generously contributed them to the Soccer Salam project to maximize the benefits of aid distribution. Two doctors and a pharmacist helped to collect and distribute 100 bottles of 23 kinds of medication in an effort to combat some of the most common diseases found in IDP camps, such as chronic infections of the skin and lungs, fungal infections, worms, and others. According to the WHO/EWARN, the leading causes of death in IDP camps include Acute Respiratory Tract Infections and skin diseases like scabies. Among those affected by illness, 31% are children below the age of 5.
100 water tanks and tubes were distributed to 100 tents where it is common for multiple families reside in a single tent. Water sanitation tablets were also given to these families. This is the first time the families of Bzeibiz have ever had water containers – before our visit they collected water in stagnant cement storage basins and shared it amongst all of the occupants of the camp.
Food baskets were delivered to families who had not been reached during our previous visit to Bzeibiz, and an additional 30 baskets were distributed to the families of a third camp near Bzeibiz by the IHAO teams. With Ramadan now fully underway, these food baskets provide the opportunity for displaced families to safely participate in fasting and to enjoy Iftar (breaking of the fast). The celebration of Ramadan is one way for these families to escape the violence and desolation around them, if only for a month.
A colleague of Hala al-Sarraf, who works intensively with women in IDP camps and mosques in Baghdad, accompanied IHAO for the distribution. During the event she visited every tent and spoke to the women and girls about their issues in the camp. It became quite apparent that children were traumatized after witnessing substantial violence – many of the children witnessed their parents killed by ISIS.
The tragedy of the stories of the children and families in Bzeibiz did not hinder the joy of the event. Along with humanitarian goods, soccer balls were given to the children, and we witnessed the reinvigoration of fun in an otherwise forsaken place. Not only did the children have a great time, but some of the IHAO staff got carried away playing a soccer match against the kids! When night began to fall, the team had to pack up (and forfeit their game) to hit the road back to Baghdad. When asked about the events of the day, the team said that they had so much fun with the kids that every minute in the heat was worth it. It is inspirational stories and experiences like these that drive the Soccer Salam team to continue reaching as many children with aid and fun as possible.
If you would like to follow our progress in Iraq, subscribe to the Soccer Salam webpage and receive inspiring updates about the young lives we are changing.
Join the Soccer Salam team today and help us achieve our dream of reaching over 2,000 Iraqi children and their families with humanitarian aid and the joy of soccer by the end of this summer. We’ve only got 60 days, so let’s get to it!!!
6 Things We Accomplished in Erbil
I would like to share with you a recap of the recent successes of TentEd, a project of EPIC, to support the education of displaced children in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI).
I returned to the KRI in December 2014 with over $18,000 in donations from a growing network of friends and supporters. Since the first TentEd project last June, hundreds of thousands of Iraqi religious minorities, including Christians and Yazidis, have joined the war-fleeing Syrians in taking refuge in the safety of the KRI. These tragic circumstances gave our work even more significance and urgency.
Working with Kurdish officials and trusted partners like International Volunteers of Yamagata and the Chaldean Church, TentEd successfully funded several rapid impact initiatives, including:
- Helping set up a library in Mar Elia Church in Erbil. Now nearly 200 child refugees, who live in the church courtyard with their families, have a place to read and learn in a safe environment.
- Covering the cost for one-month of transportation for 260 students at Kobani Elementary School. This simple investment offsets the largest education-related cost refugee families have to bear.
- Compensating 24 teachers who had not been paid in months with a $100 stipend each to help them get by.
- Distributing winter jackets to 51 children from low-income families.
- Purchasing a faculty computer and printer so teachers don’t have to take their administrative tasks home or work on borrowed computers.
- And my favorite: providing eyeglasses to one cute girl who was unable to read or write because she could not see.
As you can see, our responsive grassroots approach allows us to make an outside impact with a relatively small amount of money. Our second project was a great success that could not have been possible without the generous donations of so many of you.
We look forward to sharing future plans with you. Thank you again for your continued support!
Zack Bazzi is leading TentEd in Iraq with sponsorship from EPIC.
Iraq Security and Humanitarian Monitor
By Ahmed Ali
Updates for June 12, 2015
- The U.S. is deploying an additional 450 military advisors to Iraq. This decision comes in the aftermath of the May 17 fall of Ramadi and this mission and the advisors will be based in eastern Anbar province. The deployment of these advisors will likely boost the confidence of Iraqi Sunni tribes who are fighting ISIS.
- Clashes continued in Anbar province as Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) are pressuring ISIS in areas east of Fallujah particularly in the Garma area. ISF also conducted operations in the vicinity of Haditha and al-Baghdadi sub-districts and these operations are likely intended to pressure ISIS in western Anbar.
- In Salah ad-Din province in the north, clashes continued in Baiji, home to Iraq’s largest oil refinery, and there are ongoing operations in the Hamrin mountain areas between Salah ad-Din and Diyala provinces.
- Senior member of the Diyala Provincial Council, Karim al-Juburi denied that the UN has suspended its activities in the province. The denial comes in the aftermath of news that the UN suspended its activities in light of the kidnapping of the UN’s office chief in the province. Also in Diyala, a fire at an IDP camp in Khanaqin burned down 43 tents but caused no casualties.
450 New U.S. Military Advisors to Iraq Amid Iraqi Parliamentary Speaker’s Visit
On June 10, the White House announced that the United States government will deploy 450 extra U.S. military advisors to Iraq. The advisors will be based in al-Taqqadum air base in Habbaniyah in eastern Anbar province. These new advisors will provide training to Iraqi forces and Iraqi Sunni tribes. Additionally, the new advisors will work on engaging Iraqi Sunni tribes in Anbar province and will have the responsibility of assisting Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) in retaking Anbar areas from the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS). Also this week, the Speaker of Iraq’s Council of Representatives (CoR), Salim al-Juburi, visited Washington for high-level meetings with U.S. officials. Speaker Juburi raised the needs of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) during his public appearances.
Eastern Anbar Major Effort for Anti-ISIS Forces
On June 7, the Baghdad Operations Command (BOC) announced that security forces launched an attack on Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) hideouts in Garma area, east of Fallujah in Anbar province. Reportedly, the attack resulted in destroying three Vehicle-Borne Improvised Devices (VBIEDs). On the same day, the Iraqi army and Popular Mobilization Units (PMUs) launched a joint military operation in al-Hamra and al-Maqila areas in northern Garma. On June 8, the Iraqi army and PMU launched a joint operation targeting ISIS in the Rashad area in the vicinity of Garma.
On June 9, anti-ISIS forces launched used rockets to target ISIS elements in Fallujah reportedly killing 22 ISIS militants. The Iraqi Military Intelligence Directorate further stated that amongst those killed were four foreigners. Four ISIS vehicles were also destroyed. On the same day, the Iraqi army and the federal police averted a Suicide VEST attack by five suicide bombers in the al-Amiriyat al-Fallujah Municipal building, south of Fallujah. A source in the Anbar Operations Command confirmed that the five militants killed were wearing explosive vests. On the same day, the Iraqi Security Forces launched operations to disrupt ISIS presence in the Haditha and al-Baghdadi districts, western Anbar.
ISIS Focused on the Hamrin Mountains
On June 7, the Iraqi Security Forces and PMUs reportedly cleared ISIS from the municipal building in Baiji, north of Tikrit. However, ISIS was reportedly still in control of six neighborhoods in northern Baiji in addition to a sub-district. The operation included the participation of Iraqi army aviation. On June 9, a Federal Police (FP) force and the PMUs launched a joint operation targeting ISIS in the Hamrin mountains area, east of Tikrit. The FP commander, Raed Shakir Jawdat stated that ISIS was seeking to control an area in Hamrin mountain and that this operation was preemptive. On June 11, an FP force targeted ISIS again in the Hamrin mountains.
UN has not Suspended Activities in Diyala
On June 6, member of the Diyala provincial Council, Karim al-Juburi, denied that the United Nations has suspended its work and activities in Diyala. Juburi stated that the United Nations is currently working to build low-cost houses in the areas of Muqdadiyah and Sherwen. On June 9, a fire broke out in an Internally Displaced Person (IDP) camp that houses about 14,000 families in Khanaqin. The fire burned 43 tents in total; there were no casualties, but a number of IDPs were injured, and there was some material damage. Ghazi Ali Agha, the Manager of Khanaqin Migration, attributed the cause of the fire to the close distances between the tents. On June 10, the Minister of Construction, Tariq al-Kikhani, announced the allocation of over 100 billion dinars to for the rehabilitation of Diyala’s infrastructure given the clashes between the anti-ISIS forces and ISIS. Kikhani stated that 91 billion dinars will be allocated to rehabilitation and construction projects in the province and 10 billion dinars to the rehabilitation of roads and bridges projects.
Ahmed Ali is a Visiting Senior Fellow and the Director of the Iraq Security and Humanitarian Monitor at the Education for Peace in Iraq Center. He would like to thank Abdul Bhat and Tarai Zemba for research support.
Iraq Security and Humanitarian Monitor
By Ahmed Ali
Updates: February 13, 2015
- The head of the Parliament’s Security and Defense Committee alleged that the anti-ISIS coalition is providing weapons to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham via airdrops. This sentiment was echoed by an Iraqi Shi’a MP. This is a concerning development even though it is rhetorical. However, the rhetoric is gaining attention and could undermine the anti-ISIS effort.
- ISIS launched a major offensive targeting the town of al-Baghdadi in western Anbar province. Baghdadi is home to the al-Asad airbase where there are currently 300 U.S. military advisors. Baghdadi was attacked in the past but ISIS is likely seeking to control the airbase. This attack was also unique given reports that ISIS activated sleeper cells in the city, which if confirmed would be a first within the city center. There will likely be a wave of displacement if ISIS gains control of Baghdadi and the loss of Baghdadi would be a serious blow to the anti-ISIS effort in Anbar. Therefore, the Iraqi government and relief community must prepare for that contingency.
- Baghdad Operations Command launched operations in Baghdad and its environs to secure the capital. This effort took place as violence continued in Baghdad with the capital area witnessing car bombs and Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attacks.
- Significant clashes continued in the northern province of Kirkuk between the Iraqi Kurdish Peshmerga and ISIS.
- ISIS and the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) clashed around the city of Samarra in Salah ad-Din. These clashes are notable given Samarra’s status as the home to important religious shrines, including al-Askari Shrine.
Increasing Accusations against the International anti-ISIS Coalition as National Guards Law Draft is reportedly under Review
On February 12, Iraqi Shi’a member of the Council of Representatives (CoR) from the National Alliance, Ali al-Bderi, stated that there is a “strange phenomenon that is repeated daily with weapon-loaded planes landing… for terrorist groups from unknown sides.” Bderi’s remarks followed February 10 comments by Sadrist MP and head of the CoR’s Security and Defense Committee, Hakim al-Zamili, that criticized the international anti-ISIS coalition and alleged that it is airdropping weapons to ISIS.
There were also reactions to the newly proposed laws of the National Guards and possibly national amnesty. On February 7, member of the CoR from the State of Law Alliance (SLA), Mohammed al-Saihud, expressed opposition to the proposed laws of National Guards, Accountability and Justice Law, and General Amnesty. According to Saihud, those who “talk about releasing guilty prisoners want to get the political process into chaos.” Saihud added that the SLA would seek to block some of the proposed laws. MP from the Iraqi Sunni National Forces Union (NFU), Ahmed al-Salmani, stated that the passage of the General Amnesty law is particularly important.
On February 11, the CoR decided to postpone discussion on banning the Ba’ath party “until further notice” and member of the NFU Mutahidun Intisar al-Juburi stated that there are issues with the legal mechanisms with regards to the National Guards Law and that the CoR leadership has requested a review of those mechanisms from the cabinet. Juburi added that there might be discrepancies according to Iraqi Sunni ministers in the draft law approved by the cabinet and the draft that reached the CoR. According to Juburi, the CoR leadership is investigating the matter. Meanwhile, President Fouad Masum, ratified the 2015 budget on February 10.
Anbar Governor Refuses Deployment of the Popular Mobilization Units and ISIS Attacks Major Airbase in Anbar
On February 7, 200 Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) member were repositioned in Al-Kaserat area, near the town of al-Baghdadi in western Anbar reportedly in preparations to attack Baghdadi which is home to al-Asad airbase. On February 7, coalition airstrikes also targeted ISIS position in western Anbar and also reportedly in Ramadi. On February 9, members of the Al-Obaid and Albu Mahal tribes clashed with ISIS in the Horan Valley area, outside of the al-Baghdadi district. On February 10, governor of Anbar province Suhaib al-Rawi stated that he did not request assistance from Popular Mobilization Units (PMUs) which include Iraqi Shi’a militias due to “problems” that can trigger.
Governor Rawi added that only the army and police forces should have jurisdiction in Anbar province. On February 11, ISIS attacked the Albu Ghanim area, east of Ramadi but the attack was repelled. On February 12, ISIS launched a major offensive targeting al-Baghdadi sub-district which is home to the al-Asad airbase. The attack included penetration into the city by ISIS and reported activation of sleeper cells. ISIS elements targeted government offices including the police station.
As the attack was underway, Sheikh Naim al-Gaoud from the Anbari Albu Nimr tribe immediately warned that areas near al-Baghdadi and Hit are in danger of falling to ISIS if Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi does not send reinforcements to bolster ISF. Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) supported by anti-ISIS coalition airstrikes repelled the attack. Al-Baghdadi is important given that it is the largest ISF base in Anbar and there are over three hundred U.S. military advisors stationed in the base.
Reactions to Demilitarized Baghdad Neighborhoods
On February 1, Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi ordered the four areas of Mansour, Saydiyah, Adhamiyah, in addition to Karrada to be “weapon-free.” On February 7, Baghdad’s deputy governor, Jassim al-Bakhati, stated that the decision is welcome and is intended to represent a test that can be expanded throughout Baghdad if it proves to be successful. Bakhati added that the decision was motivated by political parties present in residential areas and are using weapons to cause difficulties for the population. Bakhati added that the Ministry of Interior will eventually have sole security provision authority in Baghdad. Member of Baghdad’s provincial security committee, Thamer al-Sarhid, stated that the decision is intended to “[clear] members pretending to be with the PMUs” and that some parties and organizations have set up checkpoints. Baghdad provincial council member and member of the Badr Organization, called on PMU members to use the weapons and ammunition on the battle field instead of Baghdad.
Security Forces Seek to Secure Baghdad as Violence Continues in the Capital and its Environs
On February 7, two attackers wearing explosive vests (SVESTs) attacked two locations in Baghdad. The first SVEST attacker targeted a restaurant in the Baghdad al-Jadida neighborhood killing 30 civilians and injuring 66 others. The second SVEST attacker targeted the Arabi market killing 6 civilians and injuring 28 others. On February 8, Baghdad Operations Command (BOC) announced that its forces conducted several operations south and west of Baghdad city. The areas included Shurtan near Abu Ghraib, Halabsa, Arab Jassim, Ahmed al-Hel, and Tal al-Dir near Taji. The operations resulted in seizing Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and weapons caches.
On February 9, a Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) exploded in the Kadhmiyah district in northwestern Baghdad killing at least 10 people and injuring 3. On February 10, a VBIED detonated near a market in Mahmudiyah, south of Baghdad, killing 2 people and injuring 11 others. On February 11, BOC forces conducted operations in Baghdad’s vicinities targeting armed elements. On the same day, mortar rounds fell in the Shula neighborhood in northeastern Baghdad and resulted in injury of seven civilians. On February 12, an IED exploded near a market in al-Rashid area in southern Baghdad and another IED exploded near a market in the Amil District, southwest of Baghdad. The attacks resulted in the death of three people and injury of 16 civilians.
The Persistent Clashes in Kirkuk and Around Samarra
On February 7, ISIS destroyed a bridge that connects the Nahrwan area with the Khalid area southwest of Kirkuk Province. According to sources, the attack is intended to disrupt any operations by the Iraqi Kurdish Pershmerga or other forces towards Kirkuk. On February 8, a security sources stated that a convoy carrying Hadi al-Ameri, Iraqi Shi’a member of the Council of Representatives (CoR), the secretary general of the Badr Organization, and a senior leader in the PMUs, came under attack by ISIS near Kirkuk. The attack did not result in any injuries and Ameri was visiting Kirkuk during that period.
On February 10, an international coalition airstrike reportedly killed 15 ISIS members in Hawija, southwest of Kirkuk. On February 11, ISIS attacked Peshmerga positions in the Daquq and Taza areas in southern Kirkuk and the attack was repelled with the assistance of the international anti-ISIS coalition airstrikes. In Salah ad-Din, the Brigades of Jihad, a PMU formation operating in Salah ad-Din province, repelled an ISIS attack near Huwaish on February 8, west of Samarra city. On the same day, Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) reportedly secured the road from Samarra to Baiji and Iraqi Air Force in addition to coalition airstrikes targeted ISIS elements east of Baiji.
On February 10, two SVBIEDs detonated on the road linking Samarra and Thar Thar southwest of Samarra city. The attack killed 6 members of the ISF and wounded 29 others. On February 11, an SVBIED detonated at Speicher airbase, located north of Tikrit, killing 2 members of the ISF and injuring 13 others. On February 11, an SVBIED targeted the Federal Police in Mkeshfa, north of Samarra, wounding 5 members of the Federal Police. On February 11, an SVBIED targeted the Muthana Complex which is located between Samarra and Thar Thar.
On February 11, Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) and PMUs also reportedly secured positions in the Baiji area including a bridge in the Fatha area. On February 12, 14 members of the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) were killed and 12 were injured in clashes with Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) militants in al-Zalaya and Mkeshfa, south of Tikrit. On February 12, member of the CoR’s Energy Committee, Zahir al-Abadi, stated that ISIS is “smuggling 300 of [oil] barrels a day from the Ajil field in the Alam sub-district, east of Tikrit.” Abadi called for the Iraqi government to target those “ISIS hideout” and highlighted that funds from these fields are helping ISIS.
Ahmed Ali is a Visiting Senior Fellow at the Education for Peace in Iraq Center.
Press Release: EPIC Welcomes Ahmed Ali as Visiting Senior Fellow, Launches Iraq Security and Humanitarian Monitor
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 30, 2015
Contact: Erik Gustafson
Phone: (202) 682-0208
Email: info@epic-usa.org
Washington, DC – EPIC Executive Director Erik Gustafson announced today that leading Iraq analyst Ahmed Ali has joined EPIC as a Senior Visiting Fellow and will serve as Director of the Iraq Security and Humanitarian Monitor (ISHM), an important new project that aims to track the latest security and political developments in Iraq through a humanitarian lens, offering insights and details unmatched by other publications.
See more at: http://bit.ly/1Cfi4J2
Soccer Salam is grateful for donors like the Lake Oswego Rotary Club who help us to continue to deliver humanitarian relief and the joy of soccer to the vulnerable children and families of Iraq.
Iraq Security and Humanitarian Monitor
By Alec Lynde and Jonathan Frederickson
Updates: March 20, 2015
- As Iraq’s joint security forces secure large areas of Salah al-Din province, the Labaika Ya Rasool Allah offensive comes to a near halt amid a particularly violent effort by Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) militants to hold onto territory in central neighborhoods in Tikrit.
- Although joint security forces continue to make headway in several areas of Anbar province, the security situation remains uncertain and as a result the humanitarian situation continues to worsen.
- Ongoing operations by Iraqi Kurdish Peshmerga and Turkmen Popular Mobilization Units (TPMUs) in Kirkuk are placing pressure on ISIS militants in the district of Hawija – the last significant ISIS stronghold in Kirkuk province – and in the neighboring district of Al-Shirqat – an ISIS stronghold in Salah al-Din province.
- Despite some efforts to protect civilians in conflict zones, new warnings and reports across Iraq raise serious humanitarian and human rights concerns, underscoring challenges faced by the Government of Iraq (GOI) and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in simultaneously waging war against ISIS while protecting and meeting the needs of affected populations.
- With spring fast approaching, reports indicate that the Mosul offensive will begin soon and that residents of Mosul are prepared to support joint security forces in clearing ISIS militants from the city.
Read the full report here: http://bit.ly/1MRo5Au
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