03/25/2019 Iraq (International Christian Concern) – A ferry collapse on March 21^st in Mosul led to the drowning of over 120 Iraqis, mostly women and children. An estimated 63 individuals remain missing. The disaster was met with protests throughout the city, as activists said that Nineveh Governor Nawfal al-Akoub was profiting off of the Hashd al-Shaabi’s mafia type management of infrastructure.

Iraq’s parliament responded by dismissing the governor of the Nineveh Pains as well as his two deputies on March 24^th. The Nineveh Governorate is currently being governed by a Crisis Council. The parliament has reportedly also ordered the closure of all militia offices in Mosul.

Tensions have arisen in the past between the Central Government and militias in the region. However, the government is often unable to hold the militias accountable, and corruption runs rampant. There is also concern that a militia withdrawal would create a power vacuum which further destabilizes the region. For example, the PKK has a presence just west of Mosul and the parliament’s decision could lead to a confrontation between the Iraqi Army and PKK forces.

The ferry disaster hits close to home for many Iraqi Christians. Religious minorities in the Nineveh Plains have long complained about the mafia type behavior of local militias, and Christians have constantly pointed to Hashd al-Shaabi has a significant barrier to reconstruction. Their presence, as well as that of other militias, creates an unstable security situation that impacts every part of life in the Nineveh Plains.

For interviews with Claire Evans, ICC’s Regional Manager, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: [email protected].