Iraq: Airports and border crossings to close during election May 12 /update 3

Event

Iraqi authorities have announced that the country will close its airports and border crossings for 24 hours during the May 12 Parliamentary Election Day. The shutdown will come into effect at midnight on Friday, May 11 (local time), and run until midnight on Saturday, May 12. Additionally, individuals will be prohibited from traveling between cities and provinces on the day of the election. A curfew restricting the movement of vehicles will also be implemented throughout all cities, except for those in the Kurdistan Region, on Saturday from midnight to 19:00, and from midnight on Friday to midnight on Saturday in Baghdad. A heightened security presence is expected in the 72 hours before the vote, particularly near polling centers. Disruptions to everyday life, including business operations, are expected due to the curfew and other heightened security measures.

Earlier in April, the Islamic State (IS) group threatened to attack voters and polling stations during the election. IS attacks on parliamentary candidates, voters, and polling stations are possible in the coming days.

Context

As of May 7, at least five candidates had been killed in advance of the upcoming May 12 parliamentary elections in Iraq. The figure includes the deaths of two candidates who were killed on May 7 in Qayyara and in the village of Lazaka, south of Mosul; while IS has claimed responsibility for both killings, subsequent reports have suggested that, in fact, the men were killed in family and political disputes.

The campaign period for national legislative elections in Iraq began on April 14. Voters will select more than 300 members of parliament, who will, in turn, elect the president and prime minister. An elevated terrorist risk is expected for the duration of the campaign period, although the capabilities of militant groups such as IS remain limited.

Although Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi claimed victory over IS in December 2017, the group retains a degree of freedom of movement in the northeast (Hamrim Mountains), near the Tigris and Zab rivers, in rural regions of Anbar province, and along the Syrian border in the west. IS militants continue to carry out attacks, notably against security forces.

Advice

Potentially affected travelers are advised to confirm travel reservations, contact their airline for more information, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities and their home governments.

The security environment in Iraq remains complex. Although travel is possible in some areas with proper security protocols in place, other areas should be considered strictly off-limits. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to all travel.