Photo By Sgt. Serena Hayden | Tribal leaders and representatives from the Diyala River Valley, Iraq, along with...... read more read more
Multinational Division-North Public Affairs
DIYALA RIVER VALLEY, Iraq – Operation Lightning Hammer concluded today with a milestone oath as Diyala's most powerful sheiks swore on the Quran to uphold a number of security provisions during a meeting fostering reconciliation efforts among muqtars, local political leaders, security officials and influential tribal members in Sheik Mazen Village, Iraq, Aug. 19.
Village representatives throughout the Diyala River Valley whose villages have been impacted by al-Qaida or other militia groups until the ongoing operations began in the area Aug. 13 attended the meeting, led by Ra'ad Hameed Al-Mula Jowad Al-Tamimi, governor of Diyala.
"Let this day be the start of unity," said Ra'ad during the meeting's opening comments. "Let's look into our future because it has to be better than our past."
"Let's forget about the names of the tribes – we are all one," Ra'ad continued.
After the discussion, the tribes signed a reconciliation agreement and swore on the Quran as a promise to uphold the provisions.
As stated in the Quran, "And hold fast, all together, by the rope which God (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves," the sheiks agreed to eight conditions which include ending violent acts between tribes; providing intelligence to the Iraqi security forces; fighting al-Qaida and other enemy organizations; helping the security forces discover improvised explosive devices; activating the law; solving issues between tribes in a civil manner and returning the displaced families to their homes.
Staff Maj. Gen. Nouri, deputy commanding officer of Iraqi security forces in Diyala province; Staff Maj. Gen. Ghanem Abass Ibraham al-Qureshy, the provincial sirector of police; and Col. David W. Sutherland, commander of coalition forces in Diyala, were also in attendance, as well as paramount sheiks from the region who attended as witnesses.
Following opening comments by the leadership, the people in attendance spoke of their thoughts on reconciliation as well as issues affecting their people such as lack of job opportunities, essential services, returning displaced services and recruiting for the security forces.
"You are all capable of influencing your tribes," Ra'ad said. "We are responsible for our men."
The tribal representatives, who agreed there are terrorists, said they must solve their problems through dialogs versus violence.
"Who is killing our people?" asked a sheik from Kharnabat. "Is it al-Qaida, or is it us?"
Because many of the villages such as Abu Sayda, Mukeisha, Kharnabat and Muqdadiya have been fighting for years, the sheik said, "We are helping destroy our province, and we have to be united."
"Either you are a man or you are not a man," said the al-Bawi sheik from Abu Sabah Village as he asked the others in attendance to do away with harboring terrorists.
"My heart and my power are with you, and I will stand by your side," he continued. "Please take my hand and we will help you."
"Unlike the former sheiks, we do not have to watch the terrorists. We have to do something about it," said another Kharnabat representative of the al-Hashawi tribe.
"If we believe terrorists and al-Qaida are like a thorn in our eye, then we will have to remove that thorn," he said. "We have to protect our tribes."
"The sheiks have to deny the terrorists because those people only bring hate to Iraq," said a sheik from Abu Sayda representing the al-Tamimi tribe.
"As I've said before, there are not 25 major tribes and more than 100 sub-tribes in Diyala," said Sutherland in his closing comments. "There is one tribe – the tribe of Diyala.
"You are not Sunni, Shia or Kurd," he continued. "You are Iraqis.
"You lay the foundation for the future of Diyala," Sutherland explained. "You lay the foundation for the future of the children."
"When I talk about reconciliation, I am not talking about a letter or a signature – I am talking about a promise.
"This is a celebration of peace in our province," said Ra'ad.
| Date Taken: | 08.19.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 08.21.2007 10:15 |
| Story ID: | 11917 |
| Location: | DIYALA PROVINCE, IQ |
| Web Views: | 143 |
| Downloads: | 118 |
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