25 – 31 August
20142016
4 – 10 July
www.rsis.edu.sg
Country Weekly Report of
International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research
Iraq
On 5 July, Iraqi officials reported that shelling carried out in Baghdad killing three and
injuring 12 more. All the victims were internally displaced Iraqis living out of camps.1
On 6 July, The Anbar operations commanders reported that the army had killed around 75
members of the Islamic State group in Zankoura, a town that lies to the west of the capital of
Baghdad. The commander reported that they were assisted by the international coalition and
Iraqi air forces.2
On 6 July, Iraqi officials reported that air strikes killed 13 and wounded another 14 members
of the Islamic State group in the city of Kirkuk which lies north to the capital city of Baghdad.3
On 7 July, Iraqi police officials reported that three suicide bombers and nine gunmen shot
and killed 26 Shia worshippers and 52 more people wounded near a mausoleum sacred to
the Shias.4
On 8 July, Iraqi officials reported that two suicide bombers killed 35 people in Baghdad, the
capital city of Iraq. The first bomber killed himself in front of a Shia shrine and the second
1
Shelling in southern Baghdad, 3 dead & 12 injured”, Iraqi news, 5 July 2016, http://www.iraqinews.com/iraqwar/shelling-in-southern-baghdad-3-dead-12-injured/
2
“Anbar Operations: 76 ISIS fighters killed in Zankoura”, Iraqi news, 6 July 2016,
http://www.iraqinews.com/iraq-war/anbar-operations-76-isis-fighters-killed-in-zankoura/
3
“14 ISIS members killed in coalition air strike southwest of Kirkuk”, Iraqi News, 6 July 2016,
http://www.iraqinews.com/iraq-war/14-isis-members-killed-coalition-bombing-southwest-kirkuk/
4
“Balad suicide attack: at least 35 killed at Shia sacred site north of Baghdad”, The Guardian, 7 July 2016,
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/08/iraq-pilgrims-killed-in-attack-on-shia-sacred-site-north-ofbaghdad
1
blew himself up among all the fleeing worshippers. The attack has immediately been
claimed by the Islamic State group.5
Libya
On 10 July, Libyan sources reported that one of the Islamic State (IS) group’s leader,
Mirghani Badawi Al-Bashir, also known as Abu Al-Harith, was killed by airstrikes in Sirte.
Abu Al-Harith, a Sudanese national and a well-known preacher, joined the IS sometime in
the middle of 2015.6
Saudi Arabia
On 5 July, three separate locations in Saudi Arabia were hit by bombs. The first took place
outside the US consulate in Jeddah, the second took place in Qatif a mainly Shia city and
the last was in Medina outside the Prophet’s Mosque which is considered the second holiest
site in Islam. Only the blast in Medina registered casualties where four security guards were
killed and another one was injured. While no one has taken responsibility for the blasts, it is
being attributed to ISIS.7
Syria
On 8 July, the British-based monitoring group, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights
(SOHR) said Syrian government conducted airstrikes on an opposition-held area of Darkush
town, west of Idlib province killing 23 people. In a separate incident, opposition groups fired
rockets on government-held areas of Aleppo killing at least 25 people and wounding more
than 120 others.8
On 9 July, the British-based monitoring group, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights
(SOHR) said at least 38 people were killed when rebel groups conducted aerial and artillery
bombardment on government-held areas of Aleppo. 14 children and 13 women were among
the casualties.9
5
Iraq violence: Dozens killed in Shia shrine suicide attack”, BBC, 8 July 2016,
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-36742581
6
“Prominent Sudanese ISIS leader killed in Sirte, Sudanese sources disclosed”, Libyan Express, 10 July 2016,
http://www.libyanexpress.com/prominent-sudanese-isis-leader-killed-in-sirte-sudanese-sources-disclosed/
7
“Suicide bombers hit 3 sites in Saudi Arabi”, FT, 5 July 2016, http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/21d0ddbe-41a211e6-9b66-0712b3873ae1.html#axzz4DnteUgz0
8
“Almost 50 killed in Syria on ceasefire's last day: monitor”, Reuters, 8 July 2016,
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-idlib-idUSKCN0ZO1BZ
9
“At least 38 civilians killed in rebel fire on government-held part of Syria's Aleppo”, Reuters, 9 July 2016,
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-aleppo-idUSKCN0ZP0FP
2
Yemen
On 5 July, local officials said the Houthis launched a barrage of Katyusha rocket on the
outskirts of the central city of Marib killing seven children.10
On 6 July, Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) claimed responsibility for an attack on
Solaban military base near the country’s international airport in Aden. At least eight Yemeni
soldiers were killed in the attack. AQAP sent two suicide bombers before storming the base.
Six of its fighters were also killed.11
On 10 July, an alleged US drone strike hit a car while it was travelling in Jabul, east of Marib.
Four of its occupants, believed to be Al Qaeda’s fighters, were wounded in the incident.12
10
“Al Qaeda claims attack on south Yemen army base near Aden”, Reuters, 6 July 2016,
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-blast-idUSKCN0ZM090
11
Ibid.
12
“Drone hits Al Qaeda suspects in Yemeni province while exiled president on visit”, Reuters, 10 July 2016,
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-idUSKCN0ZQ0SL
3