Following the recent attacks in Paris and heightened security concern, the French people have come together to condemn terrorism and mourn their fallen victims to ISIS. As attention shifts back to Iraq and Syria, people are asking me whether events in Paris have changed things in Iraq.
It’s important to make the point that in Iraq people die from attacks every month and people have become hardened to this. Iraq continues to survive the deep routed problems it has: the current problems have not stopped normal daily activities. And yet everyone you speak to in Iraq knows someone who has been affected by war, sectarian violence, terrorism and crime.
This cultivates resilient people with a strong mindset: it makes them survivors. People here live with the threat of ISIS everyday, something we in the west can’t imagine. Imagine living with military road blocks, check points, shootings and car bombings on a constant basis.
So with this in mind, will the Paris killings affect Iraq? In the short term, yes, although not as much as might be imagined. In the long term, what France and the coalition will do in response to the Paris attacks is another question and one we will watch over carefully.
Returning to Baghdad yesterday, it was clear there is an air of anticipation and raised security awareness. Journeys that would normally take 35 minutes are taking an hour. Even things like going to a meeting or a social visit merit a consideration of security, communication and back up.
I spoke to some French security people yesterday who are running high profile French teams and they have increased their security by bringing in expat specialists and replacing Iraqi Nationals. This may be considered an overreaction by some Iraqis who might say that Paris was attacked, not Baghdad.
However, Iraq is going through its own state of high alert due to the religious festival of Arbaeen. This is a time of mourning and remembrance of the martyrdom of Hussain who was brutally killed in a religious conflict around 1300 years ago. Major roads will be closed and the security presence is very high. Many people from across Iraq will march to Karbala where Hussain is buried.
I have a great respect for the Iraqis I work with: our security company is Iraqi owned and has 95% Iraqi personnel. I admire their endless optimism and professionalism in a very challenging time. Contrary to what many think, Iraq is not full of bad guys on every street corner, but it does have some major issues to face if stability, economic growth and external investment are to reach a point where the country can implement the reforms it needs. We are facing the classic problem that a great civilisation can be undermined by a small number of people who can disrupt our lives and cause so much sadness.
I sincerely hope for the sake of humanity and the people that I have met in Iraq that stability and prosperity return and that people here can live in peace. The problem is getting to this point: it’s not easy for a youth that lives by the gun everyday to change quickly. However, with the efforts of the new Government in Baghdad and the support of the international community, I remain confident that the task can be achieved.
Mike Lord is managing director of Al Thaware and Al Murabit, Harlow International’s security businesses in Iraq.