Pat Dollard | Young Americans

Pictured: Diyala Sheiks and other influential leaders met on March 20th.

Influential leaders from throughout Diyala province gathered at a home in Sa’ad Muhammed, Iraq, March 20 to establish tribal support councils throughout the province.

More than 1,000 people attended the gathering at the home of Sheik Dura Fayyahd Al-Amiri, arguably the most influential sheik in Diyala, including representatives of the central government, the governor, members of the provincial council, the Iraqi army and police commanders for the province, and sheiks from throughout Diyala.

Last month the central government approved the creation of tribal support councils throughout Iraq. The purpose of these councils is for the various tribes throughout the nation to have a voice in government to help with reconciliation and stability.

Dr. Fa-Al Niamah Alayawi from the central government’s Implementation and Follow-on Committee for National Reconciliation outlined the role of tribal support councils at the meeting. He said the councils would work for reconciliation between tribes and religious sects, help displaced families return to their homes, advise the provincial government on reconstruction projects, help Sons of Iraq receive jobs in the Iraqi security forces and create social programs in their area.

The central government is giving each province 50 million dinar to get the councils up and running.

Reconciliation and security were the themes of the day at the meeting. One sheik, using a microphone, exclaimed to the crowd that they are not Sunni, and not Shia, but all Muslims and all Iraqis.

“The goal behind this gathering is to bring together the people throughout the province to win them back from al-Qaida and other terrorist groups so that we can work together to achieve security in the province,” said Dura, who hosted the event in his large meeting room and front lawn. “My hope for the future for all of Iraq is that we the people can live together in peace.”

Leaders of the 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, the coalition force unit responsible for Diyala province, were on hand to understand how they could help the process.

“The purpose of these committees is for the tribes to work closely with the Iraqi government and coalition forces for better security,” explained Lt. Col. John Steele, deputy commanding officer of 4-2 SBCT. “Part of this was to develop a mechanism to vet the Sons of Iraq for their inclusion in the Iraqi security forces so that these members are vetted through the tribal system as reliable.”

The sheiks decided they would establish 25 different councils throughout the province, one for each nahia, or urban area. They also agreed to meet again in Baqouba to iron out more details.

“Today was a massive leap forward in the unders people and their commitment to the betterment of Iraq.”

(MNF-I)