Citizens against terrorism

The Iraqi security forces’ 195 tip line helps uproot terrorism and government corruption

After Daesh’s invasion of Mosul, the Iraqi government was convinced that citizens’ loss of confidence in their security forces contributed to the setback. This can be attributed to administrative corruption in military and government institutions, as well as the mistreatment citizens have reported at certain security checkpoints.

For these reasons, Haider al-Abadi, the Iraqi prime minister and commander of the Iraqi Armed Forces, established a tip line using the number 195. It connects directly to his office so he can receive citizens’ complaints and work to find solutions. This tip line will significantly improve communications with citizens in areas suffering from Daesh oppression and provide accurate information about terrorists’ whereabouts and movements.

In addition, citizens and members of the Armed Forces have used the line to report cases of corruption, reducing its corrosive influence among citizens and rebuilding trust in government. In a meeting with Saeed Na’ma al-Jayashi, chief of the National War Media Cell, Unipath learned more about the importance of the tip line.

Unipath: What was the impetus for the tip line project?

Al-Jayashi: The project started as an idea of Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi when, in 2014, numerous calls for help circulated in the media from troops and citizens about cases of assault, graft and corruption. During a meeting with the National War Media Cell for Psychological Operations, the prime minister directed us to establish and advertise a national tip line for citizens, which would connect directly to the decision-maker, allowing for immediate investigation and confirmation of the report’s legitimacy. The tip line was opened in August 2014. After quickly deciding to move forward with the project, the prime minister received numerous appeals from citizens and military figures.

Unipath: Can you talk about the daily rate of reports from citizens?

Al-Jayashi: The tip line is free and operates completely on mobile phone networks in Iraq like Korek, Zain and Asia and on wireless phone networks like Kalamat and similar systems. At first, despite the media’s help in promoting the tip line, reporting was very limited, no more than 10 messages per day. But after the start of operations to liberate Salah al-Din and Anbar, the rate of calls increased significantly in areas with active military operations.

With the beginning of operations to liberate Ninewa, the rate of tips from Mosul exploded to six messages per minute. But the line saw its biggest increase in usage after we advertised it through leaflets and in the Iraqi media.

Unipath: How has the information from the tip line led to the arrest of terrorists?

Al-Jayashi: The information we receive is classified into five categories: humanitarian distress, terrorist activity, administrative corruption, lack of services, and shortcomings within military units such as the misconduct of some officers or corruption within military institutions.

As for information specific to terrorist activities, we have received information about terrorists’ locations, formations, weapons caches and names. All of the information we’ve received from the tip line is subject to a screening process, in which the information is audited and then transmitted to operations to be addressed. But I can say that 80 percent of the information we receive about terrorists is extremely accurate and is used by security forces.

Unipath: You’ve mentioned corruption within state institutions. Do you mean that tips about corruption go to the Integrity Committee? And that tips regarding terrorist activity are directed to relevant security agencies?

Al-Jayashi: We’ve found this line to be a source of direct communication between citizens and the government, in which citizens and Soldiers can communicate their concerns to the government. We received a number of messages from citizens complaining of ill treatment by some members of the security forces at certain checkpoints, and we’ve opened investigations into their complaints. Because of these investigations, the government removed guilty officers and Soldiers, transferring remaining team members to new posts.

The adoption of strict procedures to censure delinquent officers has renewed citizens’ trust in their security apparatus and improved discipline and respect for the law within the Armed Forces. This commitment to professionalism has been reflected in respect for the rule of law and polite cooperation with residents. When citizens feel that the government listens to their complaints and holds the guilty accountable, the level of confidence in and loyalty to the government will increase. This confidence deters the corrupt and scheming, who see that the government will not tolerate their wrongdoing.

Unipath: The Ministry of the Interior has a well-known emergency hotline, the 130-hotline. Does the new 195 tip line include other lines, or do they all function separately?

Al-Jayashi: The 195 system is operated independently by the National War Media Cell. It is located in the office of the prime minister and holds higher importance than previously existing lines. All of its information is audited and has led to the formation of investigation committees, through which we have punished officers and officials for their misconduct.

Unipath: Can you share stories about how tips helped stop terrorists?

Al-Jayashi: Based on information reported by the people of Fallujah, we destroyed Daesh’s largest car bomb factory. Likewise, thanks to citizens’ reports, we arrested a network of dangerous terrorists who had infiltrated Baghdad with internally displaced people from Anbar. It was their intention to conduct terrorist attacks in the capital. We also found a terrorist hideout and 24 explosive vests north of Baghdad.

Unipath: Are Iraqi security forces prepared to train and advise neighboring countries that are hoping to implement similar programs?

Al-Jayashi: Our experience in this area is very successful and has contributed substantially to addressing existing and previous issues [of corruption]. We are ready to share our experience with any neighboring country that is hoping to take advantage of it, and we are ready to train neighboring states. Regional security is connected, and this successful program will benefit the entire region.

We aim for this system to become a massive network operating throughout Iraq using modern technology to address all reports in record time and quickly provide citizens with assistance.

We have worked closely with the international coalition in developing this program, with members of the alliance visiting our work site. Our goal is to develop the program further through international partnership, so that it will remain a front-line tool against terrorism.


Anti-Daesh conference in Riyadh

Participants discuss improved coordination and current threats

UNIPATH STAFF

Saudi Arabia’s chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman bin Saleh al-Banyan [AFP/GETTY IMAGES]
In a one-day conference hosted in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, in January 2017, members of the anti-Daesh coalition discussed ways to upgrade coordination, build on previous efforts of the international coalition and understand the current challenges and latest developments in the fight against Daesh.

Chiefs of staff from Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Morocco, Nigeria, Tunisia, Turkey and the United States discussed efforts to “paralyze and destroy Daesh capabilities,” according to a statement released by the Saudi Press Agency.

“The next necessary and essential steps to combat Daesh in the region have been discussed and agreed upon,” said Saudi military spokesman Maj. Gen. Ahmed Asseri. “We are re-emphasizing the strategy to combat Daesh and to ensure that the sought-after results can be achieved in the shortest time.”

This will include gaining a better understanding of the strategies adopted in anti-Daesh operations, said Saudi Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman bin Saleh al-Banyan. He stressed that more countries should join the coalition because terrorism threatens not just coalition member states but the global community.

During the conference, senior representatives held bilateral meetings outside the main meeting room to exchange ideas, welcome newcomers to the group, and determine the needs of their forces during upcoming phases of the battle against Daesh.

Participants issued a final communique following the conference highlighting coordination among coalition members. They confirmed their support for the Euphrates Shield operation, denounced Daesh’s crimes against innocents, and urged the international community to ensure the protection of disadvantaged groups. By defending such rights, they argued, the coalition could help avoid the emergence of new extremist organizations, which recruit from vulnerable populations and capitalize on their problems to generate propaganda.

Hosting conferences like these signals Saudi Arabia’s “genuine interest in combating terror groups” and reflects its “full awareness of their dangers and of their impact on the security and stability of the region and the world at large,” Lt. Gen. al-Banyan said.

In an opening speech at the conference, he noted that Saudi Arabia was among the first countries to call for forming an alliance against terrorist organizations, and after the declaration of the alliance in September 2014, Riyadh offered $500 million for relief work in Iraq. Saudis hosted a 2014 regional conference in the Red Sea city of Jeddah, as well as a conference of the chiefs of staff in Riyadh in February 2015. They have also participated in air sorties against Daesh and exchanged intelligence with participating countries.

At the same time, Lt. Gen. al-Banyan noted, Saudi Arabia recognizes the need to provide humanitarian assistance to its Iraqi, Syrian and Yemeni brothers. Humanitarian and military successes have, in combination, “led to the terror group losing many areas that used to be under its control,” he said.

Saudi Arabia “urges all Arab and Islamic member countries to deploy greater and further efforts throughout the campaign against Daesh,” he added. “Such policies would reflect positively on the security and stability of our countries and of the world, would consequently ensure the success of our economic and social development, and would offer better protection for our peoples and nations.”

As one of terrorists’ primary targets, Saudi Arabia is “determined to continue its efforts” against terrorism, and to target Daesh in Syria and Iraq to prevent it from destabilizing the region and the world, al-Banyan said. In addition, he noted, the kingdom takes security, intellectual and financial measures to weaken terrorist organizations and those who assist them.

“Saudi Arabia is committed to supporting all international efforts against terrorist organizations and groups that threaten the security and safety of the region and the world,” al-Banyan said. This conference “reflects the ongoing determination and commitment of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia to support all international efforts to counter terrorist organizations.”

Sources: Gulf News, Arab News, Saudi Press Agency, Al Arabiya English

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