Al-Qaeda in Iraq revealed in a unique statement that it met with tribal leaders in Anbar province in western Iraq and agreed with them to “unite their efforts against the Safavid [Iranian] gestapo in Iraq.”

The statement confirmed what was published by Al-Monitor on May 8, 2013. Al-Monitor’s correspondent spoke to a political source active in the protests in Anbar, who pointed out that dialogue sessions with tribal leaders to calm the situation — which were attended by the Sunni politician and Deputy Prime Minister Saleh al-Mutlaq — were held in the presence of representatives from armed groups.

Al-Qaeda’s statement spoke about an expanded meeting that was held between the Anbar tribes and representatives of the Islamic State of Iraq. However, it did not specify the time or place of the meeting, for understandable reasons that are related to the very reasons the meeting was held.

The group explained in the statement that “the main essence of the subjects that were addressed in the meeting was unanimously agreed upon, while these subjects have also remained secret.”