Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20080321-16
March 21, 2008

Diyala leaders meet to establish tribal support councils (Diyala)

Multi-National Division – North PAO

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

More than 1,000 people attended the gathering at the home of Sheik Dura Fayyadh Al-Amiri. Representatives of the central government, the governor, members of the provincial council, the Iraqi Army and Police commanders for the province and sheiks throughout Diyala attended.

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. Councils will work for reconciliation between tribes and religious sects, help displaced families return home, advise the provincial government on reconstruction projects, help Sons of Iraq receive jobs in the Iraqi Security Forces and create social programs in their areas.

The central government is giving each province 50 million dinar to get the councils up and running.
 
“The goal behind this gathering is to bring together the people throughout the province to win them back from al Qaeda and other terrorist groups so that we can work together to achieve security in the province,” said Dura, who hosted the event at his home. “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 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,” said Lt. Col. John Steele, deputy

commanding officer of the Brigade. “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 urban area. They also agreed to meet again in Baquba to finalize details.

“Today was a massive leap forward in the understanding of this (tribal support council) process,” Steele said. “It showed the unity of the people and their commitment to the betterment of Iraq.”

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