Qadissiya governorate is located in southern-central Iraq and borders Babil, Wassit, Dhi Qar, Muthanna and Anbar governorates. The governorate is divided into the following districts: Diwaniya, Afak, Al-Shamiya and al Al-Hamza. The capital city of the governorate is Diwaniya. The governorate has an estimated population of 1 325 031 with the majority being Shia Arabs.
The governorate largely escaped the onslaught of the 2014 ISIL conquest across large parts of north-western Iraq. In 2018, the situation in southern Iraq was assessed as ‘more secure’ than other parts of the country, although problems of criminality, drug abuse, and violence between Shia armed groups involved in militia and tribal groups occurred. Qadissiya governorate is under the control of Iraqi police. Presence of PMU was also reported. In 2019 and 2020, mass protests erupted and the ISF used excessive force in repressing these protests, causing numerous deaths and injuries. Protesters setting buildings on fire and causing deaths was also reported in the governorate. According to one source, security incidents in Iraq’s southern governorates result mainly from (intra)tribal disputes and/or criminal activity. Crop fires intentionally lit by ISIL were also reported.
ACLED reported a total of 64 security incidents (average of 0.8 security incidents per week) in Qadissiya governorate in the reference period, the majority of which coded as riots. Battles, explosions/remote violence and violence against civilians were also reported in this period. Security incidents occurred in all districts of the governorate, with the largest overall number being recorded in the district of Diwaniya. UNAMI recorded 14 armed conflict related incidents, 10 taking place in 2019, and 4 from 1st January until 31st July 2020 (average of 0.2 security incidents per week for the full reference period).
UNAMI recorded no casualties in 2019. From 1st January until 31st July 2020, a total of 4 civilian casualties (4 injured) were recorded in the aforementioned armed conflict related incidents. Compared to the official figures for the population in the governorate, this represents less than 1 civilian casualty per 100 000 inhabitants for the full reference period.
As of 30 June 2020, Qadissiya had 3 888 IDPs. No IDPs originating from Qadissiya were registered elsewhere in the country. Qadissiya was not listed among the governorates with a presence of returnees.
Mines have been found by Iraqi forces in Qadissiya governorate.
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Looking at the indicators, it can be concluded that indiscriminate violence is taking place in the governorate of Qadissiya at such a low level that in general there is no real risk for a civilian to be personally affected by reason of indiscriminate violence within the meaning of Article 15(c) QD. However, individual elements always need to be taken into account as they could put the applicant in risk-enhancing situations.
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Main COI reference: Security situation 2020, 4.6