Incident Summary:

12/06/2019: Assailants attacked a protester camp in Baghdad, Iraq. At least 24 people, including protesters and police, were killed and at least 80 protesters were abducted in the attack. At least 30 hostages were released shortly after the abduction. The whereabouts of the remaining hostages is unknown. The Popular Mobilization Forces (Iraq) claimed responsibility for the incident; however, sources attributed the attack to Kata'ib Hezbollah.

GTD ID:
201912060021

When:
2019-12-06

Country:
Iraq

Region:
Middle East & North Africa

Province/administrative
region/u.s. state:

Baghdad

City:
Baghdad

Attack Information
Type of Attack (more) Armed Assault
Type of Attack (more) Hostage Taking (Kidnapping)
Successful Attack? (more) Yes
Target Information (more)
Target Type: Police
Name of Entity Iraqi Police Service (IPS)
Specific Description Officers
Nationality of Target Iraq
Target Type: Private Citizens & Property
Name of Entity Not Applicable
Specific Description Protester Camp
Nationality of Target Iraq
Additional Information
Hostages Yes
Number of Hostages 80
US Hostages 0
Outcome Combination
Ransom No
Property Damage Yes
Extent of Property Damage Unknown
Value of Property Damage Unknown
Weapon Information
Type Sub-type
Firearms Automatic Weapon
Incendiary Arson/Fire
Melee Unknown Weapon Type
Weapon Details
Assault rifles were used in the attack.
Additional Information
Suicide Attack?No
Part of Multiple Incident?No
Criterion 1 (more) Yes
Criterion 2 (more) Yes
Criterion 3 (more) Yes
Doubt Terrorism Proper (more) Yes
Alternate Designation (more) State Actors
Additional Information There is doubt that this incident meets terrorism-related criteria. Sources suspected that government forces may have been involved in the abduction.
Perpetrator Group Information
Group Name Claimed Responsibility
Popular Mobilization Forces (Iraq) (suspected) Yes (Confirmed: Unknown; Mode: E-mail)
Perpetrator Statistics
Number of Perpetrators Unknown
Number of Captured Perpetrators Unknown
Casualty Information
Total Number of Casualties 24 Fatalities
Total Number of Fatalities 24
Number of U.S. Fatalities 0
Number of Perpetrator Fatalities 0
Total Number of Injured Unknown
Number of U.S. Injured 0
Number of Perpetrators Injured 0
Sources
"Drone targets Shia cleric's home in Iraq," Xinhua General News Service, December 7, 2019.
"Iraq: ISHM 231: December 5 - 12, 2019," ReliefWeb, December 12, 2019.