The Unified Tribal Council in Basra has called for stronger government security measures amid escalating unrest in Syria, particularly targeting sectarian violence against Alawites. Their demands include enhanced PMF support and strict security vetting for Syrian nationals. The council has blamed regional powers for supporting extremist groups, while a related protest aims to express solidarity with Shia communities in Syria. Recent diplomatic engagement between Iraq and Syria marks a potential shift amid these tensions.
The Unified Tribal Council in Basra, Iraq, has urged the government to bolster the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) and improve security measures in light of mounting unrest in Syria. During a press conference coinciding with a protest, the council called for a decisive governmental response to regional instability, noting recent tensions in Palestine and Lebanon and violence against Alawites in Syria. They framed these developments as part of a broader geopolitical struggle involving normalization and shifts in regional power dynamics.
The council placed responsibility for the ongoing violence in Syria on Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, accusing them of supporting extremist factions and facilitating mass killings of civilians by transitional President Ahmad Al-Sharaa’s groups with backing from regional powers and silent complicity from the international community. They emphasized the need for Iraq’s religious and political leaders, as well as all governmental branches, to prepare for various potential scenarios. Among their key demands are tighter security vetting for Syrian nationals in Iraq, legal actions against proponents of sectarianism, and cautious engagement with Al-Sharaa’s administration.
In conjunction with these demands, the council also called for the swift passage of the PMF Service and Retirement Law and a significant enhancement of the PMF. Concurrently, a protest organized by the Shia Followers of Ahl al-Bayt is set to occur in Basra to demonstrate solidarity with the Shia communities in Syria, who they allege are facing persecution. The protest aims to exhibit readiness to combat extremist groups and their sympathizers.
These developments come amid a spike in sectarian violence targeting the Alawite community in Syria, with reports of over 1,000 fatalities in coastal areas since March 2025. On another front, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shibani’s recent visit to Baghdad and his discussions with Iraqi leaders, including a joint press conference with Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, signal a diplomatic thaw between Baghdad and Damascus under Al-Sharaa. Discussions primarily centered around enhanced security collaboration due to Iraq’s concerns over the burgeoning influence of terrorist groups in Syria’s desert.
The Unified Tribal Council in Basra stands firmly against sectarian violence in Syria, urging the Iraqi government to enhance security through the PMF and urging caution in diplomatic relations with Syria’s transitional government. They attribute the instability to regional powers and emphasize the need for increased security measures. The call for protests reflects a strong commitment to solidarity with affected communities, highlighting ongoing sectarian tensions in the region.
Original Source: shafaq.com
