National Police Colonel detained by U.S. for false arrests, abuse of Sunnis in Baghdad

Above: Iraqi national policemen question a woman during a search of her home in Baghdad earlier this month.

Baghdad Soldiers detained Col. Thamir Mohammad (Isma'il) Sinah Al-Husayni, aka Abu Turab, for suspected involvement in illegal militia activities.

On Sept. 20, elements of 2nd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division moved to Forward Operating Base Justice and took Col. Thamir into custody.

Col. Thamir is currently assigned as the intelligence officer for the 2nd National Police Division Headquarters, which operates primarily in the northwestern portion of Baghdad. He is responsible for large quantities of intelligence data and is suspected of using that information against Coalition and Iraqi forces throughout the area.

Col. Thamir allegedly uses his position to direct Iraqi National Police officers to use traffic check points throughout western Baghdad to detain Sunnis, thereby aiding in sectarian evictions in Shia areas. He also allegedly targets specific Sunnis at the behest of Jaysh al-Mahdi and Badr.

Additionally, he is alleged to use Sunni detainees for ransom and directs his men to abuse detainees to force confessions.

His arrest is the most recent in a series of arrests focused on members of the Iraqi Security Forces who are complicit with illegal and militia activities.

Eleven members of the Iraqi Security Forces have been detained for suspected involvement in illegal activities since May.

“The detention of Col. Thamir is a proactive measure aimed at eliminating the influence of illegal militias, sectarianism and criminal activities in the Iraqi Security Forces," said Maj. Scott Nelson, Brigade Operations Officer, 2nd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division.

From MNF Command

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