SENIOR EXECUTIVE INTELLIGENCE BRIEF

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06629256
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2022
• Document Release Date: December 11, 2017
• Case Number: F-2016-02334
• Publication Date: March 12, 2003

Approved for Release: 2017/11/28 C06629256
TOP
(b)(3:
SENIOR EXECUTIVE INTELLIGENCE BRIEF
12 March 2003
PASS SEIB 03-058CHX
Iraq: Security Zones Enhance Command and Control
Saddam is prepared to implement contingency plans to divide Iraq into regional security zones
and delegate command authority--probably including authorization for the use of WMD--to
zone commanders. The regional security commands would be authorized to use military,
security, and civil resources to confront external aggression or to preserve internal security
without waiting for instructions from Baghdad.
The regime is likely to announce publicly the establishment of the zones--in the works since
early last year--when Saddam perceives hostilities are imminent. Baghdad enacted a similar
plan the day before coalition strikes in 1998, and the devolution of authority probably reflects
lessons learned from the post-Gulf war uprisings in 1991, when spontaneous popular unrest
quickly overwhelmed local security and military forces.
-- The regional security commands announced by presidential decree in December 1998
remained in effect until June 2000.
TtYP-S,F,211ET/
(b)(3)
(b)(1)
(b)(3)
(b)(3)
(b)(3)
Approved for Release: 2017/11/28 C06629256