Prime Minister meets Salah al-Din tribal dignitaries, urging continued cooperation

SALAH AL-DIN — Prime Minister Mohammed Shia  Al-Sudani met Thursday with tribal sheikhs and dignitaries from Balad District in Salah Al-Din Governorate, emphasizing the role of Iraq’s tribes in maintaining unity, security, and social cohesion.

During the meeting, Al-Sudani recalled what he described as “the honorable positions of Iraq’s authentic tribes and the sacrifices of the martyrs,” noting their “courageous stand in confronting ISIS terrorist groups.” He said the government aims to draw lessons from those experiences “to strengthen society against attempts to incite discord and division.”

Al-Sudani affirmed that “terrorist groups have no connection whatsoever to Iraq’s communities, tribes, or society,” and expressed “pride” in the role of tribal leaders in defending their communities during the fight against ISIS.

The prime minister said that “the role of tribes remains essential in building and supporting the state,” adding that Iraq currently enjoys “security, stability, and unity.” He stressed the need to respect state institutions and the rule of law, and to prevent exploitation of communities “to promote any deviant ideology.”

The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, also known as ISIS  or Daesh, is a Salafi-jihadist militant group.The group is widely designated as a terrorist organization by governments and international bodies. It has conducted and inspired thousands of attacks worldwide, killing and injuring tens of thousands of people. At its peak around 2014–2017, ISIS captured large areas of Iraq and Syria, including major cities such as Mosul in Iraq and Raqqa in Syria, and declared a self-styled “caliphate.”

Statement from Al-Sudani’s media office:

Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani met today, Thursday, with a number of tribal sheikhs and dignitaries from Balad District in Salah Al-Din Governorate.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister recalled the honorable positions of Iraq’s authentic tribes and the sacrifices of the martyrs, as well as their courageous stand in confronting ISIS terrorist groups. He stressed the importance of drawing lessons from these positions to strengthen society against attempts to incite discord and division, noting that Iraq is a diverse nation whose fraternal components represent a source of strength and social cohesion.

Prime Minister Al-Sudani affirmed that terrorist groups have no connection whatsoever to Iraq’s components, tribes, or society. He noted that he remained in direct contact with several tribal sheikhs in Balad and Al-Duluiyah during the days of confronting ISIS, expressing pride in the steadfast positions of Iraqi tribes, which have constituted one of the fundamental pillars of the Iraqi state since its establishment.

Prime Minister Al-Sudani further emphasized that over the past three years, the government has worked alongside all national political forces and the Council of Representatives to implement the Government Program, achieving significant progress across Baghdad and the governorates. He pointed to the launch and inauguration of service and health projects, as well as the extensive number of drinking water and infrastructure projects implemented throughout Iraq.

Key points from the Prime Minister’s remarks include:

🔷 The role of tribes remains essential in building and supporting the state, as Iraq today enjoys security, stability, and unity, with all citizens feeling they are an integral part of the country and sharing in its resources.

🔷 Establishing the foundations of state building and maintaining its correct course requires respect for state institutions and the rule of law.

🔷 Security and stability would not have been achieved without the sacrifices and steadfast stance of the Iraqi tribes, and through them, the state will continue to fulfill its responsibilities.

🔷 It is necessary to move beyond the legacies of the past and ensure that our regions and communities are not exploited to promote any deviant ideology.

🔷 Service provision, reconstruction, and development constitute a legitimate entitlement for both the country and its citizens.

🔷 The government has prioritized the development of the agriculture, industry, and tourism sectors to strengthen Iraq’s economic resources.

🔷 Sound foundations have been established for financial and banking sector reforms.

🔷 Important measures have been taken to meet the needs of farmers despite the challenges and difficulties faced.

🔷 Active participation in elections represents a heightened responsibility for all those entrusted with public responsibility.

🔷 We overcame this challenging phase with wisdom, in a sensitive regional context, while upholding our established principles.