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On the fifth anniversary of the enforced disappearance of at least 643 Iraqi men and boys by Popular Mobilization Unit (PMU) militias during military operations to retake control of Fallujah from the so-called Islamic State group, Lynn Maalouf, Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International said:

"For five years, the families of these men and boys have been living in anguish, not knowing the fate of their loved ones, or whether they are even alive. Young boys were ripped away from their parents and entire families torn apart. The families deserve to know what happened to their loved ones. They deserve an end to their suffering.

For five years, the families of these men and boys have been living in anguish, not knowing the fate of their loved ones, or whether they are even alive

"To date, the Iraqi authorities have never publicly revealed the outcome of an investigation into disappearances and abuses committed during the retaking of Fallujah, leaving families in a perpetual state of limbo.

The Iraqi authorities must end this anguish and reveal the fate and whereabouts of those forcibly disappeared by the PMU. We also urge the authorities to publicly disclose the findings of their official investigation and hold those responsible to account."

Background

On the morning of 3 June 2016, thousands of men, women and children fleeing the area of Saqlawiya in the Anbar region were met by a group of men armed with machine guns and assault rifles. Witnesses identified the armed men as members of the PMU based on emblems on their uniforms and flags. The armed men took an estimated 1,300 men and boys considered to be of fighting age away from their families. At sunset, at least 643 men and boys were boarded onto buses and a large truck. Their fate remains unknown. The remaining men were taken to what survivors described as the yellow house, where they reported being tortured and subjected to other ill-treatment.

On 5 June 2016, the Office of Iraqs then-Prime Minister, Haider al-Abadi, set up a committee to investigate disappearances and abuses committed in the context of military operations to retake Fallujah. The committees findings have never been made public. The Iraqi authorities did not respond to Amnesty Internationals request for information at the time.

The PMU are comprised of large, well-established militia groups and are legally considered part of the Iraqi Armed Forces.

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Iraq: Reveal whereabouts of 643 men and boys disappeared five years ago - Amnesty International

Drivers of crisis in the Iraqi Marshlands: environmental degradation displacing vulnerable people, raising conflicts over loss of livelihoods and access to natural resources and economic migration from rural to urban areas are three main drivers of the crisis

Water-induced Displaced: water degradation led to the displacement of communities and the creation of waterinduced Internally Displaced People (IDP). In a survey conducted by IOM in 2019 a total of 5,347 families were water-induced IDP in four southern governorates, with 60% of the displaced originated from Thi Qar Governorate

Conflicts over livelihoods and resources: an analysis of 1,793 security incidents for the period January 2016 to September 2020 in the Southern Governorates of Iraq shows an increased trend, especially in violent protests due to the lost of jobs and livelihoods, as well as in inter-tribal conflicts over natural resources, especially land and water Water resources are largely at the center of conflict areas in Basra and Thi Qar Governorates, and on the whole over 21,000 Km of rivers and water canals are located in areas affected by security incidents

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Restoring the Marshlands of Iraq: drivers of crisis (01/06/2021) - Iraq - ReliefWeb

A previously unknown Iraqi Shia militia calling itself Ktaib al-Sabiqoun issued a warning to Israel this week. In grammatically challenged Hebrew, the statement read, If you bomb us, we will bomb you. It is likely that this statement was in fact issued by one of the established pro-Iranian militias. It is common practice for these organizations to adopt and discard new names when engaging in areas beyond their usual zones of activity.Ktaib al-Sabiqouns warning comes in the wake of a recent comment by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hinting that during the recent fighting in Gaza, Iran sought to send an armed drone toward Israel from Iraq or Syria. The statement also coincides with growing concerns in Washington regarding the increasing intensity of the Shia militias campaign against the US presence in Iraq, specifically in the area of drone attacks. At the public level in Iraq, meanwhile, protests took place this week against the ongoing murder campaign by the Shia militias against Iraqi civil society activists and oppositionists.

All these sets of events are linked. The Iranian strategy for Iraq is clear, and resembles in its essentials the project already close to completion in Lebanon. It is exemplified by the targeting of the three enemies noted above namely Israel, the US/West, and the domestic opponents of Irans local proxies.

The intention, along the lines of what has already been achieved in Lebanon, is that the formal structures of representative government should remain, but should be emptied of any meaningful content. Political military structures in the service of Iran will enjoy freedom of action and will possess military capacities superior to those of the nominal forces of the state.

The latter, meanwhile, will themselves be thoroughly penetrated by the Iranian power structure. Political forces hostile to this project will be disposed of, or intimidated into, silence. The territory of the country will then be used both for the transportation of men and materiel in the direction of Israel, and for the deployment of missiles capable of reaching the territory of the Jewish state. The Iranian intention, as seen in Lebanon, Syria and Yemen, is not to create a strong, coherent client state in Iraq. Rather, Tehran wants fragmented, dysfunctional structures within which the only powerful, cohesive element is the Iran-supported force itself.

At present in Iraq, this project is underway but is not yet near completion. A significant barrier to the realization of Tehrans goals is the remaining US military presence in the country. There are strong indications at present that the long smoldering Shia militia campaign against the US is set to increase in intensity. The intention is to pressure the US into departure.

In the latest incident, a rocket was fired at the Ain al-Asad base last week. US personnel are stationed at the base. Following the incident, Iraqi authorities arrested Qasim Muslih, commander of the Shia militias in Anbar Province. In response to the arrest, the militias then conducted a show of strength against the Green Zone, the center of the international presence in Baghdad. Heavily armed Shia militiamen traveling in military vehicles seized control of entry and exit points to the zone, holding them for several hours before dispersing.

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A number of articles in the US media in recent days have noted growing concerns in the US defense establishment regarding the tempo of militia attacks using drones or missiles against US facilities and personnel in Iraq. The Daily Caller political-opinion website quoted security sources who reported that the Pentagon intends to ask President Joe Biden for permission to carry out counter strikes against militia targets in Iraq. According to the report, the White House currently insists on green-lighting all US responses to militia attacks, and The Administration is looking hard at a broad range of responses to Shiite militia aggression against Americans in Iraq.

AGAINST THE background of the militia campaign, popular protests against the militias and their campaign of assassinations resumed this week. Gathering under the slogan Who killed me? demonstrators in Baghdad on May 25 protested the killing of civil society activist Ihab al-Wazni in the majority Shia town of Karbala on May 9.

According to one demonstrator interviewed by the Middle East Center for Reporting and Analysis (MECRA) in Baghdad, Al-Wazni is dangerous for them and their interests, so they killed him to protect themselves. These groups are always out there with guns, and they are continuing targeting people, and they are the only ones permitted to hold weapons. They are responsible for killing demonstrators and activists. The forces that are coming on the streets are supported by Iran and they are taking orders from them.

Another protester, Ali al-Khafaji, told MECRA, Agents have come from east of the border to destroy Iraq.... Wilayi (Pro-Iranian) militias and hired killers from Iranian intelligence are the ones who came from the east... Iranian Revolutionary Guards and Iranian Ministry of Intelligence. These two entered Iraq to make bloodshed here and to destroy it.

Since large-scale protests began in October 2019, around 600 demonstrators have been killed. An additional 82 Iraqis have lost their lives in targeted killings. At least one demonstrator was killed when security forces opened fire on the crowd in Tahrir Square on May 25. Participants claimed that the police commanders who gave the order to open fire are themselves members of the Badr Organization, a pro-Iran militia with a strong presence in the Iraqi police and security forces.

It is unclear if determined US action against the threat of the Shia militias will take place. The administration is engaged in negotiations on the nuclear issue with Tehran. It is likely that the determination to sign a new deal as soon as possible will prevent a determined and comprehensive response.

For Israel, events in Iraq are of deep relevance. Iran has already deployed missiles in the deserts of western Iraq, in the hands of its militias, which have Israel within range. The Iranian-made Zolfaqar missile has a claimed range of 750 km. (466 miles), putting Tel Aviv within its range if it is deployed in western Iraq. The distance from al-Qaim on the Iraqi-Syrian border to Tel Aviv is 632 km (393 miles).

In the event of the 1st Northern War, as Israeli defense planners call the scenario of a general war between Israel and Iran with its proxies, Iraq would play an important role in the transfer of weaponry. The Shia militias would be used to provide additional manpower for the Iranian side, as seen in the Syrian civil war. Missiles would almost certainly be launched from Iraqi soil.

Hence, whatever the origins and the seriousness of Ktaib al-Sabiqouns message, and the statement by Netanyahu that preceded it, Iraq is already part of the northern crescent of threats facing Israel. The US presence and broader US policy regarding Iran makes Israeli action in Iraq more complicated than similar actions in Syria, or potentially in Lebanon. As Israeli planners assess the Gaza events of recent weeks in light of the key scenario of a future war from the North, the growing threat from Iraq is likely to be a significant factor in their deliberations.

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The growing threat facing Israel from Iraq - The Jerusalem Post

Highlights

Cabinet calls on oil ministry to conduct 'appropriate' study

Some politicians have called for changes in financial terms of contracts

Oil majors operate some of Iraq's biggest fields

Iraq plans to conduct a study to review all oil and gas exploration and transport contracts with foreign companies, according to a Cabinet decision, amid calls by some politicians in OPEC's second-largest producer to amend some agreements with international oil companies.

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The oil ministry should conduct an "appropriate" study on the contracts, the Cabinet said in a June 1 statement carried by the state-run Iraqi News Agency. The Cabinet issued the decision following its regular weekly meeting.

Some members of parliament and other politicians often express concern about certain contracts signed with oil majors, which they believe carry unfair financial terms, a debate that has gone on for years.

The government of Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, which was elected in May last year, listed in its program at the time a number of measures that included plans to restore the country's oil market share and renegotiate contracts with IOCs.

Iraq wants to form a negotiating delegation to discuss amending technical service contracts with international oil companies in light of the current oil market developments, according to the program released in May 2020.

The current calls for a review now coincide with ExxonMobil's planned exit from the giant West Qurna 1 oil field in southern Iraq.

Iraq is considering buying Exxon's 32.7% stake in West Qurna 1, the country's oil minister said May 3, as the US major seeks to exit one of the world's largest oil fields with expected recoverable reserves of over 20 billion barrels.

Oil minister Ihsan Ismaael had previously said Iraq was in talks with potential unnamed US energy companies to take over Exxon's stake. Other partners in West Qurna 1 are PetroChina (32.7%), Japan's ITOCHU Corp. (19.6%), Indonesia's Pertamina (10%), and Iraq's Oil Exploration Co. (5%).

International oil companies in Iraq operate some of the country's biggest fields in return for a per barrel fee linked to production.

The terms of the contracts have been a point of contention over the years, although Iraq needs international expertise to run these fields.

Exxon's exit from the southern West Quran 1 field may be similar to Shell's 2018 divestment of its stake in Majnoon, where operations are now managed by state-owned Basrah Oil Co., the minister said May 3.

In February, Oslo-based DNO bought Exxon's 32% stake in the Baeshiqa license in Iraq's Kurdistan region, part of a plan by the Norwegian company to boost spending in the semi-autonomous area and speed up production from existing wells in 2021.

As some Western oil majors exit Iraq, others have made headway. Iraq signed $8 billion worth of deals with five US energy sector companies last August during Kadhimi's first state visit to the US. The deals included an upstream pact with Chevron and power agreements with GE. Other companies involved were Baker Hughes, Honeywell and Stellar Energy.

Meanwhile BP operates the giant Rumaila field, which can produce around 1.5 million b/d out of Iraq's estimated 5 million b/d capacity. Italy's Eni runs the Zubair field, while Russia's Lukoil operates West Qurna 2.

Exxon unveiled plans in February to sell most of its UK North Sea operations as part of a roadmap to divest $15 billion in assets by 2021 and $25 billion by 2025.

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Iraq to conduct study on oil, gas exploration and transport contracts with foreign companies - S&P Global

Catholic education is taking another step forward in Irbil inIraq's Kurdistan region, affirming the country's historical leadership role in academia.

In the fall, Mar Qardakh School, a kindergarten through ninth grade Catholic institution, will open a high school, the Chesterton Academy of St. Thomas the Apostle, in the northernIraqcity.

Named for G.K. Chesterton, the renowned early 20th century English writer, philosopher and lay theologian who became Catholic, Chesterton schools employ the classical approach to education, emphasizing history, language studies and literature.

The academy is one of several initiatives established under Chaldean Archbishop Bashar Warda of Irbil to help Christians remain inIraq. The Christian presence dates to apostolic times. In 2003, there were 1.5 million Christians inIraq, but today observers estimate about 250,000 remain.

In summer 2014, more than 120,000 Iraqi Christians were uprooted from their homes in Mosul and the Ninevah Plain by Islamic State militants and sought refuge in the Irbil Archdiocese. The archdiocese coordinated emergency aid, housing, education and pastoral care for the displaced families.

Aside from Mar Qardakh School, which is internationally accredited, Archbishop Warda has established three other schools. In 2015, he founded the Catholic University of Erbil. He most recently established Maryamana Hospital, also in Irbil. The institutions serve people of all faith traditions and cultures.

"Education is the key to building bridges of peace, reconciliation and coexistence, especially in the Middle East," Archbishop Warda told CatholicNewsService.

In developing the academy, Archbishop Warda invited a delegation from the U.S.-based Society of Gilbert Keith Chesterton to Irbil to see the education work already underway. The society's mission is to promote Catholic education, evangelization, and the church's social teaching.

The visit originally was scheduled for February 2020 but was postponed to coincide with Pope Francis' pastoral visit toIraqthis past March.

Andrew Youngblood, director of curriculum for the Chesterton Schools Network, said Archbishop Warda welcomed the society's team toIraqthree days before the pope's March 5 arrival.

"Over the next few days, we were able to tour schools, the hospital, and the university that the archbishop has created," Youngblood told CNS. "We heard the stories about the internally displaced people that arrived in Irbil in 2014, whom he helped organize into camps and then quickly moved into housing so that they had greater safety and dignity.

"We saw the sustainable world that he is creating to provide these people health care, education and jobs. He truly is a shepherd who cares for his flock," Youngblood added.

To the delegation's surprise, Kurdish officials approved the Chesterton Academy within 24 hours.

"Much of the goodwill we experienced is attributable to the respect people have for the archbishop and to the excitement people had because of the papal visit," Youngblood said.

But Youngblood also felt there was "an overwhelming amount of grace involved" leading to the academy's development, the network's first in the Middle East.

The first Chesterton Academy opened in 2007 in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota. The network now has 30 schools. Officials are aiming for 150 schools within a decade.

"My vision is to create an environment where students are empowered to acquire and value knowledge and skills to support them through different aspects of their lives," said Hala Warda, headmistress of Mar Qardakh School. She is not related to the archbishop.

"My hope is to raise students who are lifelong learners, who can contribute to their local as well as global communities," Hala Warda said.

There is a strong U.S. connection as well among the archbishop, Hala Warda and a Franciscan-run university in Ohio.

On May 15, Hala Warda received two master's degrees from the Franciscan University of Steubenville, one in business administration and another in science in education administration.

Archbishop Warda was on campus the same day to receive an honorary doctorate degree for his advocacy and outstanding service to Iraqis suffering from persecution, terrorism and unrest during the country's recent tumultuous past.

For the archbishop, the bond with the university had been established earlier. In 2019, for example, he and the university's president, Franciscan Father David Pivonka, signed a memorandum of understanding that includes cultural exchanges and the development of programs between the Catholic University of Erbil and Franciscan University of Steubenville.

That bond was strengthened when Father Pivonka led a university delegation to Irbil, joining the Chesterton society team.

"The archbishop realizes the importance of making progress in education," Hala Warda said. "Thanks to his efforts, Christian families have greater hope for a bright future for their children."

Further, she said, the pope's visit "brought so much attention to our Christian communities inIraq."

"It was very emotional for our people to realize that they are not forgotten by their Christian brothers and sisters," Hala Warda told CNS. "Chesterton Academy's collaboration with Mar Qardakh School will serve as another example that we are not forgotten, and there are efforts to help us get back on our feet and become an integral part of our society once again."

Most Mar Qardakh students come from low-income households and many of them attend school tuition-free.

"We greatly depend on contributions from generous individuals and organizations to maintain our educational work," she said.

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Editor's Note: Information about donating to Mar Qardakh School through St. Thomas Mission is online at stmiraq.org.

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Chesterton High School opens in Iraq, with an emphasis on classical education - America Magazine