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Where does tribal influence fit in Iraqi politics?

Even high-level Iraqi politicians are turning to their tribes for support in resolving political disputes, a traditional resource that finds itself at odds with democratic state-building.
Iraqi Sunni Muslim tribesmen walk with their weapons during a patrol in Anbar province in this March 3, 2014 picture. Government forces are fighting rebellious Sunni tribes and al-Qaeda splinter group, Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), in western Anbar province.  Picture taken March 3, 2014.  REUTERS/Ali al-Mashhadani (IRAQ - Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS) - RTR3G33Q
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BAGHDAD — Iraqi parliament Speaker Salim al-Jabouri issued a warning against involving the tribes in political disputes Aug. 14. His warning came a few days after the tribes affiliated with Defense Minister Khaled al-Obeidi and parliament member Mohammed al-Karbouli interfered in a political dispute as the two exchanged accusations of corruption during the Aug. 1 parliamentary session.

Jabouri seemed greatly concerned about the involvement of Iraq's tribes in political conflicts. During a visit by a tribal delegation to the parliament, he told a number of Iraqi tribal leaders, "Preserving the independence of the tribes in Iraq is an important and essential safeguard. The ongoing attempts to drag the tribes into side conflicts are designed to undermine the building of Iraqi society and the Iraqi state.”

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