Election security precautions in Iraq

Iraq has transferred troops to problematic areas to ensure election security againt the ISIS threat.

There are less than 10 days until the parliamentary elections in Iraq. ISIS previosly issued audio messages to threaten the elections. The Iraqi Central Government has taken precautions by transferring troops to areas of possible attacks. The 4th Battalion under Hashd-i Shaabi has been moved to fronts on the border of Bahçe and Nefthane to ensure election security in Khanaqin in the Diyala state against the ISIS threat.

SEVERE GAPS ALONG THE BORDERS

Khanaqin Police Chief Diyar Şevket spoke about the matter and said: “The Khanaqin border is too wide. The Peshmerga used to control the borders, but after they withdrew on October 16, these areas were left empty.”

Şevket said they want the Khanaqin border to be controlled through the Diyala police and continued: “The 4th Battalion has been stationed on the border of Tabur, Bahçe, Nefthane and Kamişelan temporarily. We have intelligence that ISIS will intervene with elections. The lack of sufficient military force could make it easier for ISIS to achieve their goals.”

Meanwhile, the 110th Battalion formed by Feyli Kurds under Hashd-i Shaabi has been stationed along the Sadiye and Kubaşi borders where ISIS attacks frequently.

Pro-KDP press had published articles like “Bedir, Saraya Selam, Hikme, Fetih and Kanun Devleti groups dispatched military forces to Khanaqin” about the forces stationed in Bahçe, Neftahane, Sadiyê and Kubaşi villages as part of election propaganda.