Coalition concerned for ISIS, sectarian disruptions during Iraq’s elections

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — ISIS remnants, sectarian divisions, and security challenges remain a challenge ahead of Iraq's May 12 elections, a US military officer has said.

Col. Seth W.B. Folsom, the commander of Task Force Lion, a part of the US-led international anti-ISIS coalition whose unit primarily works in Anbar province, spoke to reporters at Al Asad base on Tuesday.

"I'll tell you what I'm concerned about is what my Iraqi partner is concerned about," said Folsom, explaining that the coalition's role is "100 percent advising."

Folsom was asked about Sunni and Shia sectarian splits. Anbar is historically a Sunni powerbase, but much of the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) is Shiite.

"How he plans to secure the election centers here in Western Anbar, to guarantee that free, fair election ... You know there are different elements, there are different aspects out here that could upset that," he said.

Folsom dismissed suggestions that ISIS will be able to regroup militarily in the Syrian border area of Al-Qaim, but acknowledged the group is capable of executing suicide missions.

"And I think the bigger concern that my partner has is over any remnants of ISIS — who would be seeking to disrupt that process.  We've seen it in the past. You know, elections are always a magnet for anybody with a suicide vest and a dream," he explained.

"That's really what the goal is, to ensure the ISF have developed a plan that includes a layered defense of their polling stations in their districts, to ensure that the Anbaris that are going to the polls on May 12 feel safe and secure enough to do it," added Folsom.

Three of the largest international NGOs in Iraq released a joint report in early-March citing "coerced, forced, and blocked returns" from camps to their homes in Anbar. 

“There is a real risk that we will soon see more people pushed to return home before it is safe. Iraqis deserve a secure and permanent home to rebuild their lives and communities. The international community and Government of Iraq need to step up to make areas safe and welcoming for Iraqis who choose to return home,” said IRC’s country director, Wendy Taeuber in the report. “For those who don’t want to go home they need continued support in camps and help to integrate and settle into local communities.”

Folsom acknowledged that the infrastructure in Western Anbar is lacking.

"Because those increasing numbers of IDPs means there is more of a demand signal for the restoration of essential services there in Al-Qaim. Much of the infrastructure here in Western Anbar was smashed over the last three years," he said.

Additionally, Folsom said his Iraqi partners are concerned about ISIS fighters and their ability "to infiltrate back into the urban center."

"The way the ISF has been addressing that is they have essentially what amounts to return screening stations," explained Folsom.

"That is a process that returning IDPs go through to be screened and evaluated by the ISF before they are allowed to return to their homes there in Al-Qaim. It's also a concern, an item of interest, to the ISF," he added.

As of March 15, 2,273,466 Iraqis remain displaced — 1,317,312 from Nineveh, 323,760 from Anbar, and 320,574 from Saladin.