1.4.2 Baghdad

1.4.2 Baghdad

Map 3. Baghdad governorate, © UNOCHA and MapAction.197

For a general description of the governorate, please refer to section 2.3 of the EUAA COI Report Iraq – Security Situation (May 2024). Baghdad governorate’s population according to the latest available figures of 2022 was estimated to be 9 006 001.198 As of 2025, the metropolitan area of Baghdad city was estimated to have about 8.06 million inhabitants.199

According to a June 2025 article published by Al-Hurra channel, all key pro-Iranian militias had a ‘significant presence’ in the country’s capital.200 In April 2025, Iraqi outlet Shafaq News reported that 20 000 members of armed factions had been integrated into the PMF and other security institutions, then redeployed around the capital in the Baghdad belt.201 Disagreements about the role of militias and the lack of state authority over them reportedly almost led to clashes between fighters from Muqtada Al-Sadr’s armed group Saraya Al-Salam and Iran-backed Kata’ib Hezbollah in the capital in July 2025.202 Later that same month, fighters from PMF brigades linked to Kata’ib Hezbollah stormed the Ministry of Agriculture to thwart the appointment of a new director, leading to at least one police officer being killed in the ensuing gun battle.203

There were several instances of rocket or drone attacks on areas with US forces presence, such as Baghdad International airport,204 as well as Taji military base, which formerly hosted US and international coalition forces.205 In terms of ISIL-related activity, there was limited reporting on the group’s presence in Baghdad governorate, mostly in the form of arrests of ISIL suspects.206 In January 2025, four Iraqi soldiers were reportedly killed in clashes with ISIL militants in Tarmiya district, north of Baghdad.207 Additionally, the governorate experienced recurrent armed violence linked to tribal disputes.208 According to the media organisation Daraj, at least four tribal clashes were recorded between mid-January and mid-April 2025 in and around the capital, specifically in the areas of Zafaraniya, Mada'in, Mahmoudiya, and Al-Shu'la.209 Some of the armed disputes affected uninvolved civilians, killing a 12-year-old boy in Al-Shu’la210 and causing a fire to break out in several homes in Husseiniya.211

Security incidents (number and type of security incidents)

During the reference period (1 August 2024 – 1 August 2025), ACLED recorded 147 security incidents in Baghdad governorate, of which 47 were coded as battles, 26 as explosions/remote violence, and 74 as incidents of violence against civilians. Security incidents were recorded in about half of all 14 governorate districts, the districts with most recorded incidents being Kadhimiya (36), Thawra (26), Adhamiya (24) and Rusafa (18).212

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Figure 8: Security events coded ‘battles’, ‘explosions/remote violence’ and ‘violence against civilians’ in Baghdad between August 2024 and 1 August 2025 on district level, based on ACLED data.213

According to ACLED data, unidentified armed groups were involved as main actor (coded as either ‘Actor 1’ or ‘Actor 2’) in 93 incidents, followed by unidentified tribal militia with 26 incidents.214 For the period between 1 August 2024 and 1 August 2025, UCDP recorded 3 security events in Baghdad governorate, leading to 4 casualties.215

Civilian casualties

During the reference period, UNAMI recorded 2 civilian casualties in Baghdad governorate (1 civilian killed and 1 injured).216 UCDP likewise reported one civilian fatality.217

Conflict-related infrastructure damage and ERW

No information on new conflict-related infrastructure damage could be found in the reference period within the time constraints of this report. Occasionally, security forces reportedly seized war remnants such as mortar shells and other explosive devices in the vicinity of Baghdad city.218

Conflict-induced displacement and return

IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM)219 unit stated in its Iraq Master List Report 134 (covering the period September – December 2024) that, as of 31 December 2024, Baghdad governorate was hosting 25 698 displaced people, 8 724 of them in Mahmoudiya district, followed by Abu Ghraib district with 4 998 and Karkh district with 4 350. About 38 % of these IDPs were displaced from Anbar governorate, while 35% were displaced from Babil governorate.220 As of December 2024, the return rate221 in Baghdad governorate was 70 %. Baghdad recorded 96 216 returnees, most of whom had been displaced within the governorate (90 %), with the principal districts of return being Mahmoudiya (51 714) and Abu Ghraib (24 390).222