JANABI TRIBE SHEIK JOINS FORCES WITH FORMER BABIL GOVERNOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L HILLAH 000061 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 6/1/2018 TAGS: PGOV PINR IZ SUBJECT: JANABI TRIBE SHEIK JOINS FORCES WITH FORMER BABIL GOVERNOR TO FORM NON-SECTARIAN ELECTORAL COALITION CLASSIFIED BY: Kenneth M. Hillas, Babtil PRT Leader, Babil PRT, State Dept. REASON: 1.4 (d) (C) In a June 1 discussion with Babil PRT Leader, Sheik Adnan Janabi confirmed that he has formed a non-sectarian electoral alliance with former Babil Governor Iskander Wit Wit's new political party, "Iskander's Independents for Babil." Sheik Adnan, who speaks sophisticated English and is a major player in ¶N. Babil, said he had registered his "United Front" (UF) party without difficulty. The UF draws its strengths from tribes from around the province of babil, not just in the north, he claimed, and the UF aims to complement Wit Wit's support base in the city of Hillah. ¶2. (C ) United Front entities have also been registered in Karbala, Diwaniyah, Baghdad province and Salah ad Din, where UF will run in varying alliances with independents, according to Sheik Adnan. The United Front has kept a low profile, so as not to make itself a target of threats. "However, when the Iranians find out about the UF, I expect them to take action against us," he said. Sheik Adnan believes that together with "Iskander's Independents for Babil," the UF can win a majority in the new Provincial Council, perhaps in alliance with some other independents. While that may be optimistic, the PRT views this non-sectarian coalition as having the greatest potential to challenge the two main provincial parties - ISCI and Dawa - in the election. HILLAS