By Nykoel Dinardo
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

BAGHDAD, Iraq – U.S. and British troops withdrew from the fortified Green Zone surrounding Baghdad with the turning of the new year after the expiration of the U.N. mandate.  Iraqi forces are now responsible for ensuring the safety of the region.  Although the Iraqi defense minister pledged that Iraqi armed forces could handle the security profile, there has been a surge of violence in the area since January 1st.

On January 2, a suicide bomber acted just outside Baghdad, killing 23 and injuring approximately 110 people.  The attack was aimed at a group of Sunni tribal leaders.  The bomber entered the home of Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah Salih and proceeded to set off the explosives.  The meeting of the leaders was being held in a marquee on the grounds of the Sheikh. 

The meeting was held at the request of Prime Minister Nouri Maliki.  Those in attendance included the leaders of Sunni and Shiite groups in the region known as the Triangle of Death, due to the violence, in hopes of convening reconciliation. 

On January 1, attacks killed three Iraqi police force members and two others in Mosul, a city about 250 miles north of Baghdad.  The UN has condemned violence in Mosul following the assassination of Mowaffaq al-Hamdani, a candidate for provincial council.  The UN said that campaign violence must not be allowed to intimidate candidates.   According to the UN secretary general’s special representative for Iraq, violence of this kind interferes with the right of every Iraqi to exercise their vote.  Al-Hamdani is the second candidate to be assassinated. 

U.S. troops have agreed to stay on in the area in order to assist with the transition; however they are to follow Iraqi orders.  Iraqi forces are officially in charge of the region and U.S. troops have agreed to leave if asked.  Iraqi generals have expressed their opinion that the Americans are not there to follow, but to supervise.  However, they believe that it is still a good first step.

For more information, please see:

Washington Post – Peacemaking Event is Attacked in Iraq – 3 January 2009

BBC – Suicide Bomb Kills Many in Iraq – 2 January 2009

Reuters – Election Friction Flares in Iraq’s Violent North – 2 January 2009

Washington Post – Green Zone Handed Off With Little Fanfare – 2 January 2009

BBC – Iraq Takes Control of Green Zone – 1 January 2009

New York Times – Attacks Occur As Iraq Takes Control of Key Sites – 1 January 2009