Iraq’s Unified Tribal Council in Basra has called for increased support for the Popular Mobilization Forces in response to rising sectarian violence in Syria. They criticized foreign influence from Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, urging stricter security measures and legal actions against incitements of sectarian violence. The recent visit by Syrian Foreign Minister to Iraq emphasizes heightened security coordination between the two nations.
The Unified Tribal Council in Basra, Iraq, has made an urgent appeal to the government to bolster the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) and enhance security measures due to rising tensions in Syria. During a press conference on Monday night, council members emphasized the need for a decisive government reaction to a series of regional conflicts, pointing to incidents in Palestine, Lebanon, and the rise in attacks on Alawites in Syria. They described these incidents as part of a larger geopolitical struggle involving normalization efforts and shifts in regional power dynamics.
The council expressed strong censure towards Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, accusing these nations of providing support to extremist factions in Syria. They specifically condemned the actions of transitional President Ahmad Al-Sharaa’s factions, which they claimed, with regional assistance and international silence, committed mass killings of unarmed civilians. Furthermore, they have urged Iraq’s religious and political authorities, alongside all branches of government, to prepare for potential crises, demanding stricter security protocols for Syrian nationals in Iraq and to take legal measures against figures inciting sectarian violence.
Additionally, the Tribal Council has called for efforts to approve the PMF Service and Retirement Law while emphasizing the importance of empowering the PMF. In a related development, the Shia Followers of Ahl al-Bayt announced a demonstration planned for Tuesday evening outside the Turkish visa office in Basra, intended to express solidarity with persecuted Shia communities in Syria and to declare their commitment to combating extremist entities.
The Tribal Council’s call to action comes amid escalating sectarian violence in Syria, notably affecting the Alawite community, with reports indicating over 1,000 fatalities in coastal regions since March 2025. Furthermore, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shibani’s recent visit to Baghdad marked a notable diplomatic engagement, where discussions with Iraq’s PM and Parliament Speaker revolved around security coordination, prompted by Iraq’s concerns over the proliferation of terrorist groups in Syria’s arid regions.
In summary, the Basra Tribes’ Unified Tribal Council has urged the Iraqi government to enhance security measures and the Popular Mobilization Forces in response to escalating sectarian violence in Syria. They have condemned the involvement of regional powers purportedly supporting extremists and have called for strong legal and political actions to mitigate sectarian tensions. The situation’s urgency is underlined by the recent diplomatic talks between Iraqi and Syrian officials, highlighting growing security concerns for Iraq.
Original Source: shafaq.com
