WASIT: DAWA COURTING TRIBAL SHEIKHS

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 003480

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/03/2018
TAGS: PGOV PINR IZ
SUBJECT: WASIT: DAWA COURTING TRIBAL SHEIKHS

Classified By: PRT Team Leader Robert Kagler for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d
)


1. (U) This is a PRT Wasit reporting cable.


2. (C //REL TO USA, ACGU) Summary: On October 18, Al Kut's
Special Weapons and Tactics (KSWAT) leader Major Aziz hosted
a meeting of tribal sheikhs from across Wasit Province.
While nominally a security-related meeting set up by Aziz to
gain tribal support for Iraqi Security Forces, the meeting,
attended by over 150 tribal sheikhs, was also clearly
organized to gain support for Prime Minister Maliki,s Dawa
party in the upcoming Provincial elections. Sheikh Numany,
introduced as a Maliki advisor, explained that the PM backed
the tribes, supported their traditional role in Iraqi
society, and believed that they have a role in Iraq,s
future. This role would include a new Maliki proposal for a
Tribal Congress at the national level. This Tribal Congress
would have an active participatory role in national
government decisions, especially concerning agriculture. End
summary.

KSWAT Seeks Support
--------------

3. (C //REL TO USA, ACGU) KSWAT is an Interior Ministry
Police entity directly controlled from Baghdad and therefore
not under the control of the Provincial Chief of Police, who
was not represented at the meeting. Major Aziz, whose KSWAT
unit has been accused of using heavy-handed tactics, asked
the tribal sheikhs to support KSWAT and the other Iraqi
security forces in the province. The sheikhs were provided a
traditional meal, music, and gifts courtesy of Major Aziz.
Speakers Support Maliki
--------------

4. (C //REL TO USA, ACGU) Sheikh Mohammad Reda Abed Bedewy
al-Numany, who is reported to be an old friend of Maliki from
his exile days in Syria, opened the meeting with a pro-Maliki
speech clearly designed to win tribal support for the Prime
Minister. Speaking of the need to organize the tribes, he
warned the assembled tribal leaders not to be fooled by
people who ask for tribal support but will not help them once
in office. Numany went on to ask the tribes to take their
place in the leadership of the country and elaborated on a
Maliki plan to create a Tribal Congress to help direct Iraq
in the future. He followed with a thinly veiled threat that
if this uniting of the tribes behind the government failed it
would spell the end for the tribes as their power would be
eliminated by another unnamed government. He further stated
that the tribes must prove that they can lead in establishing
security and peace and in the elections. He finished the
speech with a rhetorical question of "who leads the move for
tribal support" and answered with "PM Maliki does." Several
Wasit tribal sheikhs also spoke, echoing the themes of tribal
leadership, the need to vote in the provincial elections, and
support for PM Maliki and the Interior Minister.

5. (C //REL USA, ACGU) Comment: While KSWAT has been
effective at suppressing anti-government and anti-coalition
activities in Wasit, its tactics have often been seen by
local people as heavy-handed. In reaching out to the sheikhs
Major Aziz is likely trying to repair his and his unit,s
reputation and perhaps cement his standing with the
traditional leaders of the province. However, despite the
overt security theme of the meeting, this gathering of tribal
sheikhs was clearly used by Maliki supporters to try to win
the support of Wasit,s traditional tribal leaders for Maliki
and his party,s candidates in the provincial elections. End
comment.

CROCKER