Shocking assassination of U.N. representative in Iraq’s Diyala Province

February 2016

Amer al-Kaissy, an Iraqi citizen and United Nations representative in Diyala Province, was abducted by a Shiite militia group on 26 February 2015 outside a governorate office in the city of Baquba. Their first motive was ransom money from the family, demanding $40,000. Amer’s brother was taking action to come up with the money. However, as the Quds Force entered the scene and the Shiite militia group was barred from doing such a deal.

The Quds Force believed this individuals was supporting the United States and all Iraqi Sunni Parties, and had to be punished.

Al-Kaissy was abducted by Asaeb Ahl al-Haq, belonging to the al-Tamimi tribe in Diyala, and Diyala Governor Mothana al-Tamimi, a 9^th Badr member, was well informed of this kidnapping, according to credible information received from sources.

On 14 November 2015 al-Kaissy’s body was found near Baquba, with signs of being executed by a bullet to his chest. Local officials buried him on 15 January 2016 after failing to identify the corpse. On 15 February 2016 the friends of this UN employee analyzed images and became certain it was Amer al-Kaissy. They then went on to inform the UN representative.

“This is tragic news, for Amer’s family and for UNAMI and the UN family at large. His murder is a brutal and cowardly crime. We mourn his loss and salute his dedication," Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Iraq Ján Kubiš said. “I express my personal and the Mission’s deepest condolences to his widow, three children and the larger Al-Kaissy family. His murder is a loss for all of us.”

The Special Representative expressed deep disappointment at the lack of progress in the case and the unfortunate outcome.

“For more than nine months we have sought the intervention of the Government on the local and national levels to ensure his safe return to his family. We have expressed serious concern about the lack of progress in identifying his whereabouts and achieving his safe release. I am deeply disappointed that our efforts and appeals went unanswered,” he added.

Mr. Kubiš called for a thorough and transparent investigation into the abduction and murder, and emphasized the need for the authorities to hold to account those responsible for this heinous crime.

Shiite militias linked to the Quds Force are behind all abductions in Iraq. The three American citizens abducted some time ago in Baghdad, and released by Iraqi Special Forces in southern Baghdad recently, were abducted by ‘Katayeb Hezbollah’, another Shiite militia group.