Mosul victory will heighten displaced persons crisis
Iraqi authorities have finally reached a breakthrough in efforts to resolve the year-long tribal-cum-sectarian strife in a relatively small town between Tikrit and Baghdad. As the build-up for the battle to retake Mosul continues, the episode is a reminder of the many issues often overlooked in public discussions of the fight against ISIL. The governor […]Hassan Hassan writes for The National:
Iraqi authorities have finally reached a breakthrough in efforts to resolve the year-long tribal-cum-sectarian strife in a relatively small town between Tikrit and Baghdad. As the build-up for the battle to retake Mosul continues, the episode is a reminder of the many issues often overlooked in public discussions of the fight against ISIL.
The governor of Salahaddin, Raed Al Jubouri, said last week that displaced people from the city of Yathrib would be returning to their homes after an agreement was struck with neighbouring tribes. The deal, brokered by Sheikh Abdullatif Al Hmaym, head of the Sunni religious endowment, would allow the return of about 70,000 people.
A mix of sectarian and tribal tensions in the area had prevented the residents from returning to their homes. Neighbouring tribes accused residents of aiding ISIL when it conquered Salahaddin in summer 2014, and demanded punitive measures be taken against them, mostly based on tribal codes. Tribes were asked to pay $10 million (Dh37m) in compensation for those killed by ISIL.
