Anbar – INA
Tribal, political, and security figures in Anbar province affirmed on Saturday that the fatwa of sufficient jihad issued by the Supreme Religious Authority in 2014 represented a historic turning point in confronting the ISIS terrorist organization and contributed to unifying national efforts and supporting security forces, ultimately leading to victory and the liberation of Iraqi cities.
Sheikh Awad al-Jughaifi, head of the Jughaifa tribe and a leader in the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), told the Iraqi News Agency (INA): “Iraqis still remember the difficult circumstances Iraq endured during the control of several provinces by the ISIS terrorist organization, and the accompanying retreat of some security forces at that time.” He added, “The religious edict (fatwa) issued by the religious authority and the call for defensive jihad constituted a unifying national voice, to which the Iraqi people, in all their diversity, responded. They supported the armed forces and contributed to reorganizing military and security efforts to confront terrorism.” He emphasized that the cooperation between the PMF, the army, the police, the Counter-Terrorism Service, and other security formations achieved significant successes in defeating ISIS and liberating Iraqi territory.
Al-Jughaifi noted that “this anniversary is an occasion to remember the sacrifices of the martyrs and pray for mercy and forgiveness for them, wishing security and peace for Iraq and its people.”
For his part, academic, political analyst, and leader in the Azm Alliance, Ghanem al-Aifan, explained to the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that "the fatwa of sufficient jihad is one of the most pivotal events in modern Iraqi history due to its profound impact on both the security and social levels. The fatwa's effects were not limited to the battlefields; it also contributed to strengthening social cohesion among the various Iraqi communities and countered factors of division and discord." He noted that thousands of volunteers answered the call and contributed to liberating cities and returning displaced persons to their homes.
Al-Aifan emphasized that "Iraqis stand with utmost respect and reverence before this fatwa and the role of the supreme religious authority, represented by His Eminence Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali al-Sistani." He pointed out that "the calls for unity and coexistence that accompanied the fatwa had a significant impact on consolidating social peace and acceptance of others."
For his part, the Director of the Directorate of Combating Intellectual Terrorism in Anbar, Haider Al-Abdali, told the Iraqi News Agency (INA): “The twelfth anniversary of the founding of the Popular Mobilization Forces represents an occasion to recall the great sacrifices made by the sons of Iraq in response to the fatwa of sufficient defense in the face of terrorism and extremism. The Popular Mobilization Forces have written epics of heroism and selflessness during the past years and have offered martyrs and wounded in defense of Iraq’s security and stability, as the fatwa contributed to unifying national efforts, achieving victory, and consolidating the values of belonging, sacrifice, and altruism.”
