COMMON ANALYSIS
Last update: November 2024
Throughout the reference period, Iraq continued to be affected by various conflicts.
With the support of the US-led international coalition, the Iraqi government continued its battle against ISIL. In the period from 25 January 2023 to 25 January 2024, the number of asymmetric attacks by ISIL declined but persisted, especially in Anbar, Baghdad, Diyala, Kirkuk, Ninewa, and Salah-al-din governorates. These attacks mainly targeted the ISF, who carried out counter-terrorism operations in response. Recently sources observed a resurgence of ISIL in Iraq.
The conflict between Turkish forces and the PKK continued, with operations conducted by both sides in northern Iraq. By the first week of July, Turkish forces had advanced 15 kilometres deep into the Kurdistan Region. Despite the announcement by President Erdogan of the imminent end of Türkiye’s operations against the PKK in northern Iraq and Syria on 13 July 2024, such operations continued in the following weeks.
Furthermore, the resurgence of the Israel-Hamas conflict from October 2023 onwards led to renewed tensions between Iranian-backed PMF and US forces on Iraqi territory.
[COI references: Security 2024, 1.1; COI Update 2024, 2.1, 2.3 ]
Iraq is currently affected by multiple overlapping conflicts, in the meaning of Article 15(c) QD/QR: between the Iraqi government, supported by the US-led international coalition, PMF and other militia armed groups, and ISIL; between Turkish forces and the PKK; and between the Iranian-backed PMF and the US forces on Iraqi territory.
These conflicts affect different areas in Iraq at different degrees. See more under 4.3.3. Indiscriminate violence.
With regard to the governorates where confrontations and incidents take place, it has to be further examined whether the remaining criteria under Article 15(c) QD/QR are also cumulatively met.