Minute scarlett to cannon iraq security

• I he co-ordinated suicide bomb attacks in Karbala on 2/ Dec kilted 1o, including Thai and Bulgarian soldiers. wounded scores more. The restaurant bomb attack in Baghdad on New Year's Eve killed 8 and It is too soon to judge if the downward trend in attacks will continue • Most attacks in Iraq continue to be conducted by former regime elements There are some encouraging reports of the effect Saddam's capture has had on former regime elements, but it is too early to judge whether the arrest has had a direct impact on their activity. • Indications that Ansar al-Islam, senior Al Qaida associate al Zargawi, and possibly Al Qaida are co-ordinating activity and consolidating their présence represent a worrying development. Islamist extremist groups continue to plan and conduct attacks, including suicide bombings, and collectively pose a serious threat to Coalition interests. Saudi. • The principal infiltration routes for mujahedin remain through Syria, Iran and 2 JOHN SCARLETT 5 January 2004 DECLASSIFIED