Iraq

One of the few multi-ethnic neighborhoods in Baghdad still spared the crescendo of inter-sectarian violence that has consumed that city owes its relative safety in part to the work of an Institute-trained facilitator and his Institute-funded organization. The facilitator, whose name and affiliation cannot be revealed because of continuing concerns for his safety, intervened to reduce the tensions that threatened to engulf Sunni and Shi’a Muslims in a mixed neighborhood of Arab Shi’a, Arab Sunnis, Kurds, Christians, and Turkmen.

Using techniques developed by the Institute in other conflict zones, the facilitator and his team brought together key groups, including commanders of the Mahdi Army, sheikhs from Shi’a and Sunni tribes, imams from local mosques, tribal chieftains, militia leaders, and a host of government officials.

They began by discussing the good relations that historically prevailed among the groups in the neighborhood. Then the local head of security provided an overview of the deteriorating security situation, detailing the growing number of threats, kidnappings, and murders that threatened to cause irremediable harm to the neighborhood.

After lengthy debate and concerted mediation, the parties agreed on a number of actions they could take to help them step back from the brink. Among them:

• that no aggressive action or attack of confessional or sectarian nature be taken by either side;
• that neither side shelter any individual who was known to engage or who had evident tendencies/desires to engage in such attacks;
• that threats and intimidations on both sides stop;
• that anyone who defaults on these agreements be handed over to security forces by his own community/sect;
• that a follow-up committee made up of those present, plus additional members of the community from each side, be formed to take up, in coordination with the region’s security head, the task of monitoring security developments in the area;
• that similar meetings be held every 45 days in order to assess and discuss the area’s security situation and needs.

Almost immediately, these efforts resulted in a notable decrease in sectarian violence in the area. A second meeting was held as scheduled 45 days later and all the representatives noted an improved security situation and increased collaboration aimed at reducing sectarian violence. One remarkable example of this cooperation occurred when a tip-off from residents to the follow-up committee led to the discovery of an arms cache. In addition, residents provided information about terrorists to the security forces in the region, leading in several cases to their capture.

The results appear to be more than anecdotal. Surveys conducted by security officials in the neighborhood in the two months preceding the intervention found that there were 67 kidnappings, 43 armed assaults of inhabitants leading to the death of the victims, and 9 armed assaults leading to serious injuries.

By the time of the second meeting (that is, in the 45-day period between the first and second meeting), security officials reported that there had been only four cases of kidnapping, two of which had failed. No armed attacks had been reported during this period, and 27 suspected insurgents had been captured.

But new problems have arisen. Unable to fuel sectarian conflict in the neighborhood, the insurgency has taken to indiscriminately attacking the area with car bombs and rocket attacks. So far, more than 100 people have died, and property damage has been extensive. The follow-up committee is responding by calling on the positive forces of the community, regardless of sect, to combat terror .