Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Al-Khalis tribal leaders join Diala Rescue Council
Tribal, Security
(Voices of Iraq) - Tribal leaders from three Sunni villages in al-Khalis's neighborhood of al-Mansouriya have joined Diala Rescue Council in an attempt to defeat al-Qaeda, a member of the council's general board, Awwad Najm al-Rubaie, said on Monday.
"Sheikhs and top tribal leaders from the villages of al-Wishah, al-Bazwini and al-Wisi in al-Khalis, (15 km north of Baaquba) decided on Sunday to join Diala Rescue Council to fight al-Qaeda and all takfir (declaring someone an infidel) groups, which hold sway over dozens of villages and cities in the province," al-Rubaie told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI).
"Some of the reasons that prompted them to take this decision were the transgressions and fatwas issued by the self-styled 'Leaders of the Islamic State,' which coerced girls into marrying al-Qaeda leaders who have Arab and Afghan nationalities…," al-Rubaie explained. Other fatwas permitted the seizure of property of immigrant families, accused a large segment of the Iraqi people of disbelief and allowed the killing of innocent civilians, he added.
Diala Rescue Council, which includes 70 tribal leaders of different sects and 15,000 fighters, announced its readiness to cooperate with the Iraqi security apparatus and join efforts against terrorism. Baaquba, the capital city of Diala province, is located 57 northeast of the Iraqi capital Baghdad.
"Sheikhs and top tribal leaders from the villages of al-Wishah, al-Bazwini and al-Wisi in al-Khalis, (15 km north of Baaquba) decided on Sunday to join Diala Rescue Council to fight al-Qaeda and all takfir (declaring someone an infidel) groups, which hold sway over dozens of villages and cities in the province," al-Rubaie told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI).
"Some of the reasons that prompted them to take this decision were the transgressions and fatwas issued by the self-styled 'Leaders of the Islamic State,' which coerced girls into marrying al-Qaeda leaders who have Arab and Afghan nationalities…," al-Rubaie explained. Other fatwas permitted the seizure of property of immigrant families, accused a large segment of the Iraqi people of disbelief and allowed the killing of innocent civilians, he added.
Diala Rescue Council, which includes 70 tribal leaders of different sects and 15,000 fighters, announced its readiness to cooperate with the Iraqi security apparatus and join efforts against terrorism. Baaquba, the capital city of Diala province, is located 57 northeast of the Iraqi capital Baghdad.
Labels: Al Qaeda, Al-Khalis, Diala Rescue Council, Diyala, Najm al-Rubaie, tribal leaders
Friday, July 27, 2007
18 tribal leaders sign peace agreement in Diyala
Tribal, Security
(RFE/RL) - Approximately 75 tribal sheikhs, representing 25 clans and tribes in the Diyala Governorate, gathered in the town of Al-Khalis to discuss security issues and call for unity against Al-Qaeda and other terrorists in the region, the U.S. military said in a statement released July 24. The meeting took place at the Iraqi Army headquarters in Al-Khalis and was attended by several U.S. and Iraqi military officials, including Staff Major General Abd al-Karim, the commander of Iraqi security forces in Diyala Governorate, and Colonel David Sutherland, the commander of coalition forces in Diyala.
The meeting resulted in a peace agreement, signed by 18 tribal leaders, which includes pledges to provide greater cooperation with the Iraqi security forces, to report on improvised explosive devices, and to resolve disputes between tribes through local meetings. In addition, several tribal leaders called for a united effort to combat Al-Qaeda elements. "Our goal is to be united and cooperate [in fighting] any force that wishes to challenge our unity," said one tribal sheikh. "We have to show the people that we are honest and serious about fighting against Al-Qaeda."
Labels: Al-Khalis, Al-Qaeda, Colonel David Sutherland, Diyala, Staff Major General Abd al-Karim, tribal leaders, tribal sheiks
