Thursday, September 13, 2007
Abu Risha: National Reconciliation Will Begin In Anbar…Central Iraqi Tribal Sheikhs Meet With Anbar Tribal Sheikhs
Tribal, Security
(Al Mowaten Newspaper) - 13 SEP - Yesterday, a delegation of central Iraqi tribal sheikhs visited Anbar’s tribal sheikhs and met with members of the Anbar Salvation Council. Sheikh Hamid Al Hayis, the Anbar Salvation Council Chief said, “The central Iraq tribal sheikhs and Anbar tribal sheikhs have agreed on being united, fighting terrorists, staying away from sectarianism and security cooperation between the tribes of Anbar, Samawa, Karbala, Hilla and other southern provinces.”
He added, “At the end of the meeting everyone prayed together and swore to be unified and to fight terrorists.” In related news, Sheikh Abu Sattar Abu Risha has confirmed that the tribes of southern, central Iraq, and Sadr City visited Ramadi and that this step is the right step to save the country from its problems. Sheikh Basim Al Hajawi delivered a speech on behalf of the Sadr City tribes and expressed his appreciation of the heroic role of the Anbar Awakening Council. Sheikh Basim has demanded that Iraq’s tribes imitate the Anbar Awakening Council and oust everyone that is trying to damage Iraq. Sheikh Thamir Al Dulaimi, the “Anbar Scientist Commission” chief said, “We should pursue and oust terrorists from Iraq.”
He added, “At the end of the meeting everyone prayed together and swore to be unified and to fight terrorists.” In related news, Sheikh Abu Sattar Abu Risha has confirmed that the tribes of southern, central Iraq, and Sadr City visited Ramadi and that this step is the right step to save the country from its problems. Sheikh Basim Al Hajawi delivered a speech on behalf of the Sadr City tribes and expressed his appreciation of the heroic role of the Anbar Awakening Council. Sheikh Basim has demanded that Iraq’s tribes imitate the Anbar Awakening Council and oust everyone that is trying to damage Iraq. Sheikh Thamir Al Dulaimi, the “Anbar Scientist Commission” chief said, “We should pursue and oust terrorists from Iraq.”
Labels: Anbar Salvation Council, Anbar Scientist Commission, Sadr City, Sheikh Abu Sattar Abu Risha, Sheikh Basim Al Hajawi, Sheikh Thamir Al Dulaimi, tribal sheiks
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Tribal Sheikhs Forming “Salvation Council” In Salah Ad Din
Security, Tribal
(Asharq Al Awsat Newspaper) - 29 AUG - A number of Salah Ad Din’s Tribal Sheikhs have announced the formation of a new organization to fight Al Qaeda in northern Iraq. The US Army is continuing to arm Iraqi Tribes in the country’s “hot areas” …areas such as Jurf Al Sakhar, [this area is sometimes considered to be part of] southern Baghdad Province [due to Provincial boundary changes made during Saddam’s era; but, previously (and presently by some Iraqis) this area was part of northern Babil Province].
130 Tribal Sheikhs in Salah Ad Din Province have decided to form a new organization in order to combat the “terrorist groups”. A US Army statement, “This historic agreement came about in the “birth city” of Iraq’s former President (Saddam Hussein). All of these Tribal Sheikhs have confirmed that they will support the local government in the fight against Al Qaeda.”
In a separate issue, another US Army statement said: a number of US Army commanders have approved a ‘plan to arm some Sunni Arab groups’. These groups have promised to fight “Al Qaeda”. Some anonymous US Army officers have said: this (or a similar) plan has been proven successful in Anbar Province. American officers have negotiated with Sunni Arab groups in four areas… especially (areas) in central and northern Iraq.
An anonymous source in Tikrit (Salah Ad Din) Province said: authorities in Tikrit have completed the formation of the “3rd Regiment of Salah Ad Din’s Salvation Forces”. (This Regiment will be) under the leadership of Sheikh Ahmed Al Rijja, a Sheikh of the Dulaim Tribe. This “3rd Regiment” has been named the “Jazeera Support Regiment…to pursue ‘Al Qaeda’.” The Jazeera area is an Al Qaeda occupied area of Salah Ad Din Province. This area (Jazeera) encompasses Lake ThirThar …and extends into Anbar Province.
A source confirmed that the first two “Regiments of Salah Ad Din’s Salvation Forces” were formed earlier this year. Those two regiments are deployed in eastern Salah Ad Din (Province)…between Tikrit and Tuz. These two Regiments are similar to the (Salvation) regiments which Anbar’s Salvation Council formed. The Anbar Salvation Council is an alliance of Sunni Arab tribes; and, it was formed in September 2006…in order to fight against Al Qaeda. The Anbar Salvation Council has been able to expel Al Qaeda from most areas of Anbar Province.
The idea to create “Salah Ad Din’s Salvation Forces” was rejected by a number of Salah Ad Din’s Tribal Sheikhs (the formation of these forces was not unanimous)… (It was) especially (objected to) by some Tribal Sheikhs in the areas of: Tikrit, Bayji, and Al Dor… These Sheikhs said that the formation of this (Salah Ad Din “Salvation”) Council will cause more sedition. Hamid Ibrahim Al Jabouri, who is a member of the Salah Ad Din “Salvation” Council, was attacked by insurgents only a few days after this Council was formed.
130 Tribal Sheikhs in Salah Ad Din Province have decided to form a new organization in order to combat the “terrorist groups”. A US Army statement, “This historic agreement came about in the “birth city” of Iraq’s former President (Saddam Hussein). All of these Tribal Sheikhs have confirmed that they will support the local government in the fight against Al Qaeda.”
In a separate issue, another US Army statement said: a number of US Army commanders have approved a ‘plan to arm some Sunni Arab groups’. These groups have promised to fight “Al Qaeda”. Some anonymous US Army officers have said: this (or a similar) plan has been proven successful in Anbar Province. American officers have negotiated with Sunni Arab groups in four areas… especially (areas) in central and northern Iraq.
An anonymous source in Tikrit (Salah Ad Din) Province said: authorities in Tikrit have completed the formation of the “3rd Regiment of Salah Ad Din’s Salvation Forces”. (This Regiment will be) under the leadership of Sheikh Ahmed Al Rijja, a Sheikh of the Dulaim Tribe. This “3rd Regiment” has been named the “Jazeera Support Regiment…to pursue ‘Al Qaeda’.” The Jazeera area is an Al Qaeda occupied area of Salah Ad Din Province. This area (Jazeera) encompasses Lake ThirThar …and extends into Anbar Province.
A source confirmed that the first two “Regiments of Salah Ad Din’s Salvation Forces” were formed earlier this year. Those two regiments are deployed in eastern Salah Ad Din (Province)…between Tikrit and Tuz. These two Regiments are similar to the (Salvation) regiments which Anbar’s Salvation Council formed. The Anbar Salvation Council is an alliance of Sunni Arab tribes; and, it was formed in September 2006…in order to fight against Al Qaeda. The Anbar Salvation Council has been able to expel Al Qaeda from most areas of Anbar Province.
The idea to create “Salah Ad Din’s Salvation Forces” was rejected by a number of Salah Ad Din’s Tribal Sheikhs (the formation of these forces was not unanimous)… (It was) especially (objected to) by some Tribal Sheikhs in the areas of: Tikrit, Bayji, and Al Dor… These Sheikhs said that the formation of this (Salah Ad Din “Salvation”) Council will cause more sedition. Hamid Ibrahim Al Jabouri, who is a member of the Salah Ad Din “Salvation” Council, was attacked by insurgents only a few days after this Council was formed.
Labels: Al Qaeda, Dulaim Tribe, Hamid Ibrahim Al Jabouri, Jazeera Support Regiment, Jurf Al Sakhar, Salah Ad Din, Salvation Forces, Sheikh Ahmed Al Rijja, Sunni militant groups, tribal sheiks, U.S. military
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
To Improve The Country - Agreement To Establish A Federal Government In United Southern Iraq
Politics, Tribal
(Al Bayyna Al Jadidah Newspaper) - 30 JUL - Under the slogans of “Iraq’s Unity” and the “South Witnesses Justice, Equality, Love, and Peacefulness”…southern Tribal Sheikhs have agreed to: improve the country and make a good life available to our people of southern Iraq.
They (the southern leaders) said they are doing this for: “independent Iraq”, and to return balance to the community in the south. They (the Sheikhs) want to create a southern regional government [probably similar to the northern Kurdistan government] which will the respect the original Arab tribes (of the area)…and spread justice, freedom, and equality among the people of the south.
However, we (the Tribal Sheikhs/southern leaders) want everyone to understand that this does not mean that “we” agree with the idea of “federalism” as proposed by the Occupation…We are a part of Iraq; and, we will not break off from Iraq in the future! We have decided that we will run our own affairs… by ourselves…without “foreigners” management. Tomorrow, we will publish our statement of establishment (Declaration).
They (the southern leaders) said they are doing this for: “independent Iraq”, and to return balance to the community in the south. They (the Sheikhs) want to create a southern regional government [probably similar to the northern Kurdistan government] which will the respect the original Arab tribes (of the area)…and spread justice, freedom, and equality among the people of the south.
However, we (the Tribal Sheikhs/southern leaders) want everyone to understand that this does not mean that “we” agree with the idea of “federalism” as proposed by the Occupation…We are a part of Iraq; and, we will not break off from Iraq in the future! We have decided that we will run our own affairs… by ourselves…without “foreigners” management. Tomorrow, we will publish our statement of establishment (Declaration).
Labels: federalism, southern Iraq, tribal sheiks
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
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Islamic State of Iraq claims Mansour Hotel blast
Insurgency
(Associated Press) - An Al-Qaida front group in Iraq claimed on Tuesday responsibility for the suicide bombing at Baghdad's Mansour hotel which killed 13 and wounded 27 people at a gathering of U.S.-allied tribal sheiks. In a statement on a Web site commonly used by the militants, the Islamic State of Iraq said that Monday's bombing was a "quick response" for an Iraqi police raid on a Sunni family house in the Anbar province in which the policemen detained the father and raped his daughters.
"The ministry of interior followed the heads of infidels and apostasy who brought those disgraceful police to the land of Muslims to make disaster and destruction," said the statement. Its authenticity could not be independently verified. The Monday hotel blast undermined efforts to forge a front against al-Qaida extremists in Iraq. Four of the tribal chiefs were among the 13 victims, police said.
After the noontime explosion, which also devastated the ground-floor lobby of the high-rise Mansour, Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki quickly vowed renewed support for Anbar province's tribal leaders. The statement also identified the suicide bomber who had slipped past security checkpoints to detonate his suicide belt in the hotel lobby as "a lion of the Islamic State of Iraq's martyrs brigade, brother Abu Othman al-Duliemi."
"God accept him and let heaven be his final destination," the statement said. It also claimed the group had set up a special operation "to track down and follow up anyone allied with the crusaders or al-Maliki government." Crusaders is a term militants use for U.S. troops in Iraq.
The statement also urged other "sons of the Islamic state of Iraq" to cooperate with the group and to come forward with information about those allied with the "crusaders or the infidel government." The Islamic State of Iraq is an umbrella group of several insurgent groups, including al-Qaida in Iraq. Both have been blamed for some of the deadliest bombings in the country's conflict.
"The ministry of interior followed the heads of infidels and apostasy who brought those disgraceful police to the land of Muslims to make disaster and destruction," said the statement. Its authenticity could not be independently verified. The Monday hotel blast undermined efforts to forge a front against al-Qaida extremists in Iraq. Four of the tribal chiefs were among the 13 victims, police said.
After the noontime explosion, which also devastated the ground-floor lobby of the high-rise Mansour, Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki quickly vowed renewed support for Anbar province's tribal leaders. The statement also identified the suicide bomber who had slipped past security checkpoints to detonate his suicide belt in the hotel lobby as "a lion of the Islamic State of Iraq's martyrs brigade, brother Abu Othman al-Duliemi."
"God accept him and let heaven be his final destination," the statement said. It also claimed the group had set up a special operation "to track down and follow up anyone allied with the crusaders or al-Maliki government." Crusaders is a term militants use for U.S. troops in Iraq.
The statement also urged other "sons of the Islamic state of Iraq" to cooperate with the group and to come forward with information about those allied with the "crusaders or the infidel government." The Islamic State of Iraq is an umbrella group of several insurgent groups, including al-Qaida in Iraq. Both have been blamed for some of the deadliest bombings in the country's conflict.
Labels: Islamic State of Iraq, Mansour Hotel, tribal sheiks
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
British General Negotiated With Armed Iraqi Groups
(Azzaman Newspaper) - 28 MAY - Yesterday, the Sunday Telegraph Newspaper revealed that a British General is leading negotiations with armed groups in order to reach an agreement that the armed groups will put down their weapons in exchange for senior positions in the Iraqi security forces. The newspaper also said, “General “Graham Lamb” met with armed group leaders in the Green Zone in Baghdad to encourage these groups fight the extremist foreign fighters of Al Qaida, who use bloody tactics against Iraqis.
General Lamb is a former British Special Forces officer and represents the Iraqi government and MNF during these negotiations. He is also conducting negotiations with moderate militia which created death squads in response to the sectarian attacks of Al Qaida. A successful agreement will be very important in order for the US security plan to succeed in Baghdad. US General Davis Petraeus, the MNF Commander in Iraq, selected General Lamb himself to negotiate with the armed groups and moderate militia because General Lamb is more neutral than other US officers and also because the British forces do not have a large presence in Baghdad.”
An American forces senior advisor involved in the new security plan said, “These negotiations are unofficial and they are being held in the Green Zone in Baghdad. General Lamb, armed Sunni groups, and Iraqi tribal sheikhs who support the current resistance are attending these negotiations. The British General as a mediator between Iraqi officials and the leaders of Sunni armed groups, who are starting to believe in the reality of Shiites controlling the government.”
The newspaper added, “During the negotiations the armed groups, the armed groups have offered that in exchange for senior security forces positions they will declare a cease fire. They are also demanding amnesty for their members already in prison except for those involved in beheadings or killing large groups of civilians, canceling the DeBaathification Law, and pensions for those have been forced out of governmental, military, and security positions.”
An American forces senior advisor involved in the new security plan said, “These negotiations are unofficial and they are being held in the Green Zone in Baghdad. General Lamb, armed Sunni groups, and Iraqi tribal sheikhs who support the current resistance are attending these negotiations. The British General as a mediator between Iraqi officials and the leaders of Sunni armed groups, who are starting to believe in the reality of Shiites controlling the government.”
The newspaper added, “During the negotiations the armed groups, the armed groups have offered that in exchange for senior security forces positions they will declare a cease fire. They are also demanding amnesty for their members already in prison except for those involved in beheadings or killing large groups of civilians, canceling the DeBaathification Law, and pensions for those have been forced out of governmental, military, and security positions.”
Labels: amnesty, armed groups, cease-fire, debaathification, General Graham Lamb, militias, negotiations, tribal sheiks
Friday, March 23, 2007
Iranians paying Iraqis to attack coalition
Security, Iran
(AFP) - Iranian agents are paying local Iraqis around the southern city of Basra as much as 500 dollars a month to carry out attacks on coalition forces, a senior British Army officer said Friday. Lieutenant Colonel Justin Maciejewski said contact with locals suggested that the "vast majority" of violence against British troops stationed in the city came from outside Iraq.
"We haven't found any 'smoking gun' but certainly all the circumstantial evidence points to Iranian involvement in the bombings here in Basra, which is disrupting the city to a great extent," he added. Maciejewski, who is the commanding officer at the British base at Basra Palace, went on: "Local sheikhs and tribal leaders here in Basra -- who are desperate to prevent this violence escalating -- are telling us that Iranian agents are paying up to 500 dollars a month for young Basrawi men to attack us.
"We have a lot of very modern and quite sophisticated weaponry being used against us -- weaponry that could only really have been procured from a state," said Maciejewski. "These are not old munitions from the Iran-Iraq war. They are much more modern, some of them produced in 2006 and the locals are telling us that these are coming in from Iran."
"We haven't found any 'smoking gun' but certainly all the circumstantial evidence points to Iranian involvement in the bombings here in Basra, which is disrupting the city to a great extent," he added. Maciejewski, who is the commanding officer at the British base at Basra Palace, went on: "Local sheikhs and tribal leaders here in Basra -- who are desperate to prevent this violence escalating -- are telling us that Iranian agents are paying up to 500 dollars a month for young Basrawi men to attack us.
"We have a lot of very modern and quite sophisticated weaponry being used against us -- weaponry that could only really have been procured from a state," said Maciejewski. "These are not old munitions from the Iran-Iraq war. They are much more modern, some of them produced in 2006 and the locals are telling us that these are coming in from Iran."
Labels: Basrah, Iran, tribal sheiks
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Sunni tribes in Anbar work with U.S. to combat violence
Security
(UPI) Sunni tribes in troubled Anbar province have begun working closely with U.S. and government forces, contributing nearly 2,400 men to the police department and 1,600 to a newly organized tribal security force, authorities say. U.S. troops are training and equipping the new tribal forces, which are called Emergency Response Units (ERUs), and are charged with defending the areas where they live, according to the local U.S. commander.
By a U.S. count, 12 of the Ramadi area's 21 tribes are cooperating in the security effort, six are considered neutral, and three are actively hostile. That is almost the reverse of the tribal posture last June, when three were cooperative and 12 were hostile. For nearly four years, the tribes around Ramadi survived by playing both sides, working with U.S. forces when it suited them, while at the same time helping or tolerating Sunni insurgent groups and al Qaeda in Iraq.
That changed in August, according to U.S. Army Col. Sean MacFarland, commander of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, which has been responsible for security operations in Ramadi since June. Al Qaeda in Iraq -- which has also turned its intimidation tactics on the tribal leaders -- kidnapped and killed Sheik Khalid of the Albu Ali Jassim tribe and left his body where it could not be found, preventing the family from burying him within 24 hours as prescribed by Muslim tradition. "Al Qaeda overplayed its hand," Col. MacFarland said at his headquarters, a dusty base on the west side of Ramadi.
At a meeting that month, several sheiks drew up an 11-point declaration vowing to fight al Qaeda, within the rule of law, and declaring solidarity with coalition and government security forces. It is a movement referred to by the tribes as "the Awakening" led by Sheik Sitar. Al Qaeda killed several of his family members along with 14 other sheiks from different tribes.
From July 2006 to January 2007, the daily average number of attacks fell by 38 percent and roadside bomb attacks dropped by 57 percent to an 18-month low. The roadside bombs also are getting smaller and less complex, enabling the brigade and the Iraqi police to find more than 80 percent of improvised explosive devices before they detonate.
It is "a very significant indicator that this potent weapon system has become less effective in Ramadi," Col. MacFarland said. More important to the colonel, attacks are occurring farther from the town center and from the main road -- suggesting that residents are not tolerating insurgents the way they once did, and are tipping off police to suspicious activities.
By a U.S. count, 12 of the Ramadi area's 21 tribes are cooperating in the security effort, six are considered neutral, and three are actively hostile. That is almost the reverse of the tribal posture last June, when three were cooperative and 12 were hostile. For nearly four years, the tribes around Ramadi survived by playing both sides, working with U.S. forces when it suited them, while at the same time helping or tolerating Sunni insurgent groups and al Qaeda in Iraq.
That changed in August, according to U.S. Army Col. Sean MacFarland, commander of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, which has been responsible for security operations in Ramadi since June. Al Qaeda in Iraq -- which has also turned its intimidation tactics on the tribal leaders -- kidnapped and killed Sheik Khalid of the Albu Ali Jassim tribe and left his body where it could not be found, preventing the family from burying him within 24 hours as prescribed by Muslim tradition. "Al Qaeda overplayed its hand," Col. MacFarland said at his headquarters, a dusty base on the west side of Ramadi.
At a meeting that month, several sheiks drew up an 11-point declaration vowing to fight al Qaeda, within the rule of law, and declaring solidarity with coalition and government security forces. It is a movement referred to by the tribes as "the Awakening" led by Sheik Sitar. Al Qaeda killed several of his family members along with 14 other sheiks from different tribes.
From July 2006 to January 2007, the daily average number of attacks fell by 38 percent and roadside bomb attacks dropped by 57 percent to an 18-month low. The roadside bombs also are getting smaller and less complex, enabling the brigade and the Iraqi police to find more than 80 percent of improvised explosive devices before they detonate.
It is "a very significant indicator that this potent weapon system has become less effective in Ramadi," Col. MacFarland said. More important to the colonel, attacks are occurring farther from the town center and from the main road -- suggesting that residents are not tolerating insurgents the way they once did, and are tipping off police to suspicious activities.
Labels: Al Qaeda in Iraq, Ramadi, tribal sheiks
