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Iraq Violence Rises as US Prepares to Leave

BAGHDAD – At least 200 people were killed and over 560 injured in violence in Iraq in November. Of the dozens of recorded attacks over a third targeted civilians. However, it was the security forces who bore the brunt of the violence. Over half of all the attacks targeted either the Iraqi police or military.

Risk mitigation company AKE monitors security trends in the country and will publish its November research in a report issued on Monday.

AKE’s daily intelligence indicates that levels of violence have risen in Iraq over the past week. There have been bombings in Basrah, Taji, Khalis and even the normally well-defended International Zone (often referred to as the Green Zone).

Many are concerned that conditions could worsen further once the US military has withdrawn its forces from the country. Troops are required to leave by the end of the year and the pullout is already well underway. Hundreds of transport vehicles are currently snaking their way south towards the Kuwaiti border. Most of the troops are likely to have left the country by Christmas.

For the growing number of companies looking to invest in Iraq, the opportunities are still significant, but AKE’s Iraq specialist John Drake warns that safety and security issues still need to be addressed.

“Violence may ebb and flow in Iraq but in the event of a major deterioration in the security environment firms will have to ensure that they have robust crisis management and contingency plans in place to deal with the situation.”

“Bear in mind that if a company suffers a medical crisis, such as the injury of an employee, there will no longer be the medical assistance which was previously provided by the US military.”

“It may sound daunting, but the economic potential in Iraq is significant. Risk-aware companies which prepare themselves appropriately and invest in the country will likely find themselves far ahead of their competitors.”

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