Cablegate: Prt Tikrit: Tribal Security Initiatives in Salah

VZCZCXRO2968
PP RUEHBC RUEHDA RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK
DE RUEHGB #2344 1961227
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 151227Z JUL 07
FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2230
INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY

UNCLAS BAGHDAD 002344

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PINR MCAP IZ
SUBJECT: PRT TIKRIT: TRIBAL SECURITY INITIATIVES IN SALAH
AD DIN DIFFERENT FROM ANBAR

REF: BAGHDAD 2155

1. (U) This is a PRT Tikrit, Salah ad Din cable.

2. (SBU) Since the Salah ad Din (SaD) Support Council, a
grouping of tribal sheikhs fighting al Qaeda in the province,
formed in mid-June (reftel), two major differences have
emerged which distinguish the SaD efforts from the tribal
security initiatives in al Anbar. First, the SaD sheikhs
have made it clear they want to work under the auspices of
the provincial government, with the approval of the GOI, and
in coordination with the Iraqi security forces (ISF) already
in their areas. They see the provincial government of Salah
ad Din as largely functional and legitimate. As such, they
chose the name "support council" because they want to support
the provincial government and ISF in security initiatives,
rather than take the lead. Select members of the Support
Council have begun regular meetings with representatives from
the Prime Minister's Office. (NOTE: They specifically chose
not to include "awakening" or "salvation" in the council's
name because, in their opinion, the province is already
"awake to secure issues" and does not need "saving." END
NOTE.)

3. (SBU) Second, the leadership of the Support Council said
that their tribal security initiatives will only be local,
with province-wide security left to the ISF. According to
the rules set forth by the Support Council, each tribe will
work with the local Iraqi Police (IP) and Iraqi Army (IA) to
secure its area, and its area alone. Tribes, therefore, will
not cross into to other tribes' areas to conduct
security-related operations.

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Comment
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4. (SBU) The provincial government hopes that keeping tribal
security initiatives local and under the control of the ISF
will allow for the continued long-term and sustainable
development of the provincial government, while also allowing
the tribes to assist the ISF in securing the province.
Additionally, they hope the localized nature of the movement
will prevent armed disputes among tribes. Provincial
leaders, both governmental and tribal, have been consistent
in their message that they do not want to form militias and
that they see a legitimate government as the best way forward
for the province's long-term stability. END COMMENT.

5. (U) For additional reporting from PRT Tikrit, Salah ad
Din, please see our SIPRNET Reporting Blog:
http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Tikrit .
CROCKER

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