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COMMON ANALYSIS
Last updated: June 2022

[Security 2019, 1; Security 2020, 1.1., 1.2.3, 1.2.5; Security 2022, 1.3]

In Iraq, a wide range of different groups and individuals can be considered as actors of persecution or serious harm. Moreover, agents and motivations are not always clear-cut and may change given the changing security context.

The following subsections highlight the main actors of persecution and serious harm in Iraq in a non-exhaustive manner. Their areas of control/activity are outlined below.

  • The Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) control most of Iraq, excluding the KRI. In some areas, ISF only holds nominal control, whereas in practice control is exercised by Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), e.g. areas in Salah al-Din and Diyala.
  • In certain areas in north/central Iraq PMF are dominant (e.g. areas in Salah al-Din). Southern governorates are considered areas of shared control between ISF and PMF.
  • KRG upholds the sole responsibility for the security of the KRI, however, gaps in KRG control have been reported. Peshmerga forces are the KRG armed forces.
  • ISIL no longer holds territory in Iraq however, ISIL relies on remote desert bases, mountain ranges, valleys and orchards in the Baghdad Belts and the Central provinces of Iraq. It established furthermore safe havens in Iraq’s Disputed Internal Boundaries (DIBs) due to gaps in the security system.

Other actors such as Turkey, Iran, the Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK) were also present and reportedly carried out attacks in Iraq, in particular in the KRI [Security 2022, 1.3.1]