IRAQ DISPLACEMENT CRISIS 2014–2017 IRAQ October 2018 IRAQ DISPLACEMENT CRISIS | 2014-2017 DISCLAIMER FOREWORD The opinions expressed in the report are or acceptance by IOM. The information in Since January 2014, Iraq’s war against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) has caused those of the authors and do not necessarily the Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) the displacement of nearly six million Iraqis – around 15% of the entire population of the country. reflect the views of the International portal and in this report is the result of Four years later, on 9 December 2017, the end to the country’s war against ISIL was declared. Organization for Migration (IOM). data collected by IOM field teams and The war against ISIL has precipitated the worst displacement crisis in the history of Iraq. To better complements information provided and understand the overall impact of the crisis, this publication sets out to examine and explain the IOM is committed to the principle generated by governmental and other critical population movements in the last four years. that humane and orderly migration entities in Iraq. IOM Iraq endeavors to keep benefits migrants and society. As an this information as up to date and accurate First, the report provides a full overview of the population movements during the crisis using intergovernmental organization, IOM as possible, but makes no claim – expressed consolidated data gathered through the Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM). The DTM has acts with its partners in the international or implied – on the completeness, accuracy been tracking population movements since the start of the ISIL crisis by an extensive network of community to: assist in meeting the and suitability of the information provided 9,500 key informants across Iraq. Subsequently, the study uses in–depth information on identified operational challenges of migration; advance through this report. Challenges that should displacement hotspots to analyze specific geographical areas that have been affected by the crisis. understanding of migration issues; encourage be taken into account when using DTM data These area overviews depict the evolution in the number of hosted IDPs, intra–governorate social and economic development through in Iraq include the fluidity of the displaced displacement, and highlight the burden of displacement in specific areas as well as the priority migration; and uphold the human dignity and population movements along with repeated needs of the population. well–being of migrants. emergencies and limited access to large parts of the country. In no event will IOM It is my hope that this publication - Iraq Displacement Crisis 2014–2017 - will not only serve as The information contained in this report be liable for any loss or damage, whether a reminder of the impact of Iraq’s war against ISIL on population movements throughout the is for general information purposes only. direct, indirect or consequential, related to country, but also as a base to facilitate assistance to conflict-affected communities. Names and boundaries on DTM information the use of this report and the information products do not imply official endorsement provided herein. Gerard Waite Chief of Mission IOM Iraq ACKNOWLEDGMENTS IOM Iraq thanks the United States and Response Team (RART) members for Department of State, Bureau of Population, their work in collecting the data, often in Refugees and Migration (PRM) for its very difficult circumstances; their tireless continued support. IOM Iraq also expresses efforts are the groundwork of this report. its gratitude to IOM Iraq’s Rapid Assessment WHAT IS THE DTM? The International Organization for Migration The Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) is –composed of 123 field staff– present (Iraq Mission) Main Office in Baghdad IOM’s information management system to throughout the Iraqi territory, the DTM Office for Central Iraq UNAMI Compound track and monitor population displacement collects data on numbers and locations (Diwan 2) during crises. Composed of a variety of of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and International Zone, Baghdad, Iraq Email: [email protected] / [email protected] tools and processes, the DTM regularly returnees using an extended network of Website: www.iomiraq.net captures and processes multilayered data over 9,500 key informants. In addition to More information on: iraqdtm.iom.int and disseminates information products information collected from key informants, © International Organization for Migration (IOM), 2018 that facilitate a better understanding of the RARTs visit and assess identified locations evolving needs of the displaced population, hosting IDPs to collect more detailed and All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted whether on site or en route. Through IOM’s in–depth information on the displaced or in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, Rapid Assessment and Response Teams returned population. photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publisher. 1 1. INTRODUCTION IRAQ DISPLACEMENT CRISIS | 2014-2017 Since January 2014, Iraq’s war against the and targeted household surveys. Thus, the TABLE Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) body of data DTM has collected over the has caused the displacement of nearly six years is highly comprehensive. millions Iraqis – around 15% of the entire population of the country. Nearly four years This report aims at consolidating the current OF later, on 9 December 2017, Iraqi Prime DTM data in order to contextualize and Minister Haider Al-Abadi publicly declared explain the population movements that the end to the country’s war against ISIL. occurred as a result of the ISIL crisis as a The announcement followed the end of whole. As such, it will provide an overview of CONTENTS the intensive clearing operations in west the full crisis throughout its phases – since the Anbar to push ISIL militants out of their last beginning of the Iraq Civil War (ISIL crisis), stronghold in the country. starting in Anbar in December 2013 with the battle for Fallujah, to the end with Prime IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) Minister Abadi declaring victory over ISIL in has been tracking population movements December 2017 – and detailed information caused by the conflict with ISIL since the on localized emergencies. It will also assess start of the crisis and through all its different main areas of displacement, analysing the 1. INTRODUCTION 9. POPULATION MOVEMENTS IN 2016 phases. Monitoring was carried out not only evolution in number of hosted internally • Chronology of main events though the DTM Master List, but also through displaced persons (IDPs), the changes in their 2. SOURCES AND METHODOLOGY • Displacement trends in 2016 different instruments, such as emergency sectorial needs and shelter arrangements. • Characteristics of IDPs: tracking mechanisms, which gathered precise 3. DEFINITIONS AND ACRONYMS Origin and socio–demographic information information triggered by specific campaigns • Location of displacement 4. HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY FIGURES • Return trends in 2016 5. SETTING THE SCENE : • Characteristics of returns THE REPORT IS ARTICULATED AS FOLLOWS : Displacement overview before • Crisis Unfolded: The Anbar Offensive (Retaking Fallujah) the 2014–2017 crisis 1. ISIL crisis is contextualized: a brief overview 3. Focus is shifted to areas of displacement, Findings are illustrated in maps, info–graphics 10. POPULATION MOVEMENTS IN 2017 of the displacement history preceding the which have been affected differently by the and charts. All the data are available on the 6. CHRONOLOGICAL • Chronology of main events start of the 2014 – ISIL crisis is presented crisis – receiving fewer or more IDPs – DTM website, where the entire archive can FRAMEWORK FOR ANALYSIS • Displacement trends in 2017 together with the displacement situation at and had different responses to the influx. be retrieved. • Characteristics of IDPs: the time the crisis began; To facilitate the analysis, Iraq is divided in 7. POPULATION MOVEMENTS IN 2014 Origin and socio–demographic information three regions: the Kurdistan Region of Iraq • Chronology of main events • Location of displacement 2. Displacement – and return – movements (KRI), which includes the governorates • Displacement trends in 2014 • Return trends in 2017 are analysed over time and space. For each of Dahuk, Sulaymaniyah and Erbil; the • Characteristics of IDPs: • Characteristics of returns year – 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 – a brief South, which includes the Basrah, Missan, Origin and socio–demographic information • Crisis Unfolded: Retaking Mosul and chronology of key events is presented, Najaf, Thi–Qar, Qadissiya and Muthanna • Location of displacement Operations along the Mosul Corridor followed by the review of main trends governorates; and the North Central, which • Crisis Unfolded: Anbar January - May 2014 • Crisis Unfolded: Retaking Telafar according to the area of origin/return, includes Anbar, Babylon, Baghdad, Diyala, • Crisis Unfolded: Mosul June - July 2014 • Crisis Unfolded: West Anbar the socio–demographic characteristics of Kerbala, Kirkuk, Ninewa, Salah al-Din and • Crisis Unfolded: Sinjar August 2014 IDPs / returnees and the direction of their Wassit governorates. The evolution in the 11. AREAS OF DISPLACEMENT • Crisis Unfolded: Heet October 2014 movements. Specific crises are discussed number of hosted IDPs, the relative burden • North Central Iraq in depth. of