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Security Conditions Improve Slightly in Iraq

LONDON – Despite Monday’s deadly attack against a police facility in Anbar province, overall levels of violence declined in Iraq over recent months. At least 676 people were killed between July and September as a result of over 700 separate terrorist and militant attacks. This constituted an improvement from the second quarter of the year (April-June) when at least 865 people were killed countrywide.

Over 25% of the incidents between July and September occurred in Baghdad, which experienced an average of 2-3 attacks per day during the period. The second most hostile part of the country was Mosul, a northern city still considered to be a stronghold of al-Qaeda in Iraq. It currently sees 1-2 attacks per day. The oil-rich and ethnically divided city of Kirkuk, also in the north of the country, sees an average of 6-7 attacks per week.

The southern provinces saw a slight improvement in conditions, which bodes well for the many international energy companies looking to establish broader operations in the region. Nonetheless, militant groups retain a presence in the area and sporadic attacks continue to take place. Basrah currently sees an average of four attacks per month. Muthanna province on the other hand has seen no attacks so far this year.

Kurdistan remains quiet, although the Turkish and Iranian militaries continue to launch cross border operations in search of Kurdish rebels. This is having a minimal effect on foreign nationals and the many private businesses operating in the largely stable region.

These findings were published in a report produced by AKE, an international security and risk mitigation company working in Iraq since 2003. For further information please contact the AKE intelligence department.

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