Sunni tribal militias opposed to al-Qaeda will be integrated into the country’s security forces, according to Sheikh Hameed al-Hayes. Hayes is the tribal chieftain of the Province of Anbar west of Baghdad. The province was once described as “an impregnable garrison” of al-Qaeda in the country. But Hayes said his militias, comprising loyal tribesmen paid and armed by U.S. occupation troops, have managed to bring a semblance of stability to the province.
Tens of thousands of Sunni tribesmen have joined the emerging Sunni militia forces which are present in predominantly Arab Sunni areas and cities in the country. The growing power of the tribesmen is a matter of concern for the Shiite dominated government and Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is reported to be unhappy with the surge in their influence.
But Hayes tried to allay such fears, saying that his tribesmenÂ’s main role would be to back the official police and security forces and provide help in combating Qaeda.
Hayes commands the largest and most effective Sunni tribal forces in the country and had vowed to put an end to Qaeda in his province by the end of 2007. The main factor behind the fall in violence and death in the country is attributed to these tribal militia groups.
A senior Sunni politician from the Accord Front, Omer Abdulsattar has warned recently that security conditions will “deteriorate precipitously” if Sunni tribal militias were disbanded. Abdulsattar rejected claims that the militias were working for “political gains.”
However, Hayes said the security improvements might not last unless there is progress with political reconciliation under which Arab Sunnis demand a bigger political role.
The Iraqi Qaeda, almost solely comprising Sunni fighters, has declared war on Sunni tribal militias. Its suicide bombers have mounted deadly attacks, killing scores and wounding hundreds of these tribesmen particularly in the still violent province of Diyala north of the Iraqi capital Baghdad.