Basra Tribal Council Calls for No Sectarian Violence in Syria
The Unified Tribal Council of Basra has urged the Iraqi government to strengthen the Popular Mobilization Forces due to rising unrest in Syria, accusing regional powers of supporting extremist groups that perpetrate violence against civilians. Their demands include improved security measures for Syrian nationals and legal actions against sectarian provocateurs. The call for solidarity with Shia communities underlines the urgent need to confront extremist threats.
The Unified Tribal Council of Basra has called on the Iraqi government to bolster the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) and enhance security in response to increasing unrest in Syria. During a press conference held on Monday night, the council emphasized the need for a robust governmental reaction to the regional tensions stemming from developments in Palestine, Lebanon, and attacks on the Alawite community in Syria, framing these incidents as part of a broader geopolitical struggle involving normalization processes and shifts in regional power dynamics.
The council has accused regional powers, including Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, of supporting extremist factions in Syria, which are allegedly responsible for mass killings of unarmed civilians amid international inaction. Furthermore, they have called upon religious and political authorities, alongside Iraq’s governmental branches, to prepare for various potential scenarios. Specific requests included implementing stricter security checks for Syrian nationals in Iraq and taking legal action against individuals such as Khamis al-Khanjar, who have been implicated in inciting sectarian violence.
Additionally, the council demanded the approval of the PMF Service and Retirement Law, alongside pressing for the fortification of the PMF. In solidarity, a group known as Shia Followers of Ahl al-Bayt has organized a demonstration in front of the Turkish visa office in Basra, scheduled for Tuesday evening, to express support for the persecuted Shia communities in Syria and to signal their readiness to confront extremist factions.
The Tribal Council’s actions were triggered by rampant sectarian violence in Syria, particularly against the Alawite faction, with reports indicating over 1,000 fatalities in coastal areas since March 2025. In recent diplomatic developments, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shibani visited Baghdad, where he engaged with Iraq’s Prime Minister, Parliament Speaker, and President, marking the first significant diplomatic interaction since President Al-Sharaa’s ascent to power in Syria. A governmental source disclosed that the discussions focused on enhancing security coordination, particularly due to growing concerns over terrorist activities in Syria’s arid regions.
The Basra Tribal Council’s directives reflect a pressing need for heightened security and governmental action in Iraq amidst escalating sectarian violence in Syria. The call for regional powers to cease support for extremist groups and the insistence on stringent vetting of Syrian nationals underscores the cautious approach Iraq seeks to adopt. Collaborative diplomatic efforts are crucial as the nation grapples with the implications of regional conflicts on its security and stability.
Original Source: shafaq.com
