With the onset of the holy month of Ramadan, the Iraqi Ministry of Defence ramped up its security measures to enhance public security and protect citizens from attacks by the "Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant" (ISIL).

The ministry unveiled a series of new measures on May 31st, after a recent spike in suicide bombings in popular markets and cafes in Baghdad.

This recent trend prompted fear of further attacks in Ramadan, a month marked with major shopping activity and large gatherings of citizens.

New security measures

"Against the backdrop of these attacks, we have introduced a new set of security measures to confront the terrorists and prevent them from exploiting the holy month of Ramadan to threaten citizens' security and safety," ministry spokesman Nassir al-Nuri told Mawtani.

Measures include enhancing intelligence work by deploying plain clothes security agents in residential neighbourhoods and promoting "community-based security", he said.

The ministry will allocate tasks to security forces based on geographic zones linked to the central joint military operations command to ensure the co-ordination of security efforts, al-Nuri said.

"We also intend to introduce cutting edge explosive detection equipment and technology and surveillance cameras," he said.

ISIL elements were using al-Karma and the outskirts of Fallujah in Anbar province to launch terror attacks in Baghdad and in central and southern provinces, al-Nuri said.

"After our forces recently recaptured those areas and destroyed ISIL's bases there during the ongoing 'Breaking Terrorism' battle for the liberation of Fallujah, these victories will undoubtedly help diminish terror threats, improve the level of public security, and push the enemy away from city centres," he added.

ISIL resorts to suicide bombings following losses

ISIL has suffered heavy defeats in the provinces of Anbar and Salaheddine and lost its ability to thwart the security forces' advance, al-Nuri said.

The group is trying to step up its attacks using suicide bombers known as "inghimasi fighters", he said.

ISIL chooses soft targets packed with people to cause the greatest number of victims and to distract the security forces from the ongoing liberation operations, he added.

"The group also wants to send a media message that it is still strong and capable of bringing the fight inside secure cities," he said, adding, "We won't give those criminals an opportunity to threaten innocent lives and will confront them".

"The latest hits ISIL has taken and the loss of many of its strongholds have pushed it to play its last card of suicide attacks to achieve propaganda gains and reduce the frustration felt by its fighters," said Saad al-Matlabi of Baghdad provincial council’s security committee.

"The focus today is on driving ISIL from Fallujah and its surrounding areas and striking their hideouts and strongholds in the Baghdad Belts areas," he told Mawtani.

Heightened intelligence efforts

Al-Matlabi stressed the need to mobilise intelligence efforts as one of the most important security measures and the most effective in protecting people, whether during Ramadan or any other time.

"We must make use of trained and skilled intelligence agents who are able to penetrate the terrorists' ranks, expose their cells and plans, and thwart their attacks before they take place," he said.

"The recent escalation in terror operations is just a counter tactic employed by the terrorists whenever the noose tightens around their necks and their forces are collapsing," said terror groups expert Hisham al-Hashimi.

ISIL is trying to use this tactic to divert attention from its losses in the battlefields, he told Mawtani.

With the onset of the month of Ramadan, security forces must take all necessary precautions to secure citizens, he said.

"It is important to encourage citizens to play a greater role in resisting the enemy's methods," he said. "This requires launching a major campaign to increase security awareness among community members."