Photo By Sgt. Serena Hayden | A tribal sheik from Wujahiya, Iraq, talks to Staff Maj. Gen. Abdul Kareem, commander...... read more read more
Multi-National Division-North Public Affairs
BAQUBAH, Iraq – Approximately 50 tribal leaders from the Muqdadiya Qada in Diyala province, Iraq, gathered at the governor's house July 14 to discuss security, services and the importance of strength through unity.
Governor Ra'ad Hameed Al-Mula Jowad Al-Tamimi, Diyala governor; together with Staff Maj. Gen. Abdul Kareem, commander of Iraqi security forces in Diyala; and Col. David W. Sutherland, commander of coalition forces in Diyala, led the meeting, stressing the influence tribal leaders have on their people.
"We came here to achieve something great," said Kareem, "and this great thing is your tribal influence on your people."
"I have seen the greatness of the sheiks," said Sutherland, "I have seen the greatness they can bring. The courage of the tribes is based on the courage of the sheiks, many of whom are disgusted and disillusioned by the hatred al-Qaida brings."
Citing examples from the Koran and past history of Iraq, Kareem emphasized that "everybody in Diyala is supposed to be united – to work as one hand fighting the enemy."
During his opening comments, Kareem encouraged the leaders to return to their towns and talk to the people in their respective tribes about strength through unity, and standing up against al-Qaida and other militia groups.
"They (terrorists) are only few; they are not strong," Kareem said. "We can still unite against them and eradicate them. Please let us cooperate and be like one family facing a danger – the face of terrorism."
Following opening comments, the floor was open to comments by the tribal leaders in attendance, all of which agreed to come together against al-Qaida and protect their people and their lands.
"I hope there will be good results from this meeting," said a representative of the Jibouri tribe. "We will assist and stand to fight against the terrorists.
"We refuse al-Qaida to live among us. We reject them," he continued. "There is no difference between Sunni and Shia just as there is no difference between black and white."
After the representative spoke, the key tribal leader of the Jibouri tribe continued, stating the people's ambition is to have a strong government that provides security and services without distinguishing between sects.
"We are ready to stand up to achieve this goal," he said. "Let's try to be as far as possible from this sectarian violence and let's try to be united for the security of our people."
Other sheiks in attendance discussed security issues in their respective towns and provided intelligence to the provincial leadership in attendance. They stressed their desire to unite against al-Qaida and other militias by guarding their homes and continuing to turn to the security forces for assistance.
"No one – no one individual and no group – can stand up to the tribes when they are united," said Sutherland. "No foreign army in the world has beaten a counterinsurgency. It took the people to standing up to fight against the terrorists.
"There are not 25 different tribes and over 100 sub-tribes in Diyala," he continued. "There is one tribe that is joined as brothers just as we see the Iraqi security forces join the coalition forces."
After the meeting, the tribal and provincial leaders gathered for a feast and tea to continue their discussions and work toward strength through unity.
| Date Taken: | 07.16.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 07.16.2007 15:12 |
| Story ID: | 11310 |
| Location: | BAQUBAH, IQ |
| Web Views: | 103 |
| Downloads: | 80 |
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