Sheikh Al-Khazali: The Tikrit clan issue is an early electoral defeat, and our alliance is national and includes all components of Salah al-Din.

The General Secretary of the Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq, Sheikh Qais al-Khazali, confirmed on Thursday that what is being raised regarding the Tikrit tribes’ issue is an attempt to undermine the early elections, backed by two parties, one Sunni and the other Shiite. He suggested that the Sunni party is the primary driver of this campaign, noting that these methods are not new, and that the movement is accustomed to such attacks.
Discussing the movement’s stance on political alliances, Sheikh Khazali explained that the Tikrit tribes had placed their bets on Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq and sought to form a political alliance with them, a move the movement welcomed. He emphasized that the previous experience with the Albu Hashma tribe of the Bani Tamim tribe had been successful and had sent positive messages to other tribes, such as the Jubur, Shammar, and Azza tribes.
His Eminence pointed out that Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq ran in the 2021 elections on a national list in Salah al-Din Governorate, including candidates from various ethnic groups. MP Mohammed al-Baldawi from Balad (Shiite) and candidate Nasik from Yathrib (Sunni) from the Bani Tamim tribe won, explaining that the votes of voters from various ethnic groups produced a parliamentary representation that is something to be proud of.
Regarding preparations for the upcoming elections in 2025, His Eminence Sheikh Al-Khazaali emphasized that the movement’s intention remains the same as before, namely to form a national alliance encompassing all the province’s districts and sub-districts, including Balad, Dujail, Tuz Khurmatu, Ad-Dur, Sharqat, and others. He considered Tikrit—as the capital of Salah al-Din Governorate—a pivotal city in this national project.
His Eminence explained that most of the Tikrit tribes, except for Saddam Hussein’s relatives who allied with Sunni political groups, chose to ally with the Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq movement. He explained that the relationship with Saddam’s relatives “doesn’t concern us, and we don’t concern them. They know that this matter doesn’t concern them”.
His Eminence also noted that the major tribes in Salah al-Din are now represented by candidates on the movement’s national list, including the Tikrit Tribal Gathering, which nominated a respected academic woman from the Khashman tribe, which belongs to the Tayy tribe. He said, “I can say that all of the major tribes in Salah al-Din are represented by candidates on our list”.
Sheikh Al-Khazali emphasized that the alliances the movement is building are based on commitment and loyalty, which are part of its culture and approach. He emphasized that the national alliance it seeks will be an advanced model and will be emulated in the upcoming elections, saying, “This is our garment. It is a garment of commitment, our culture, our nature, and our upbringing. God willing, this will be a message and an advanced step”.
His Eminence concluded by emphasizing that any tribal leader betting on Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq will find their bet successful. He praised the stances of the Arab tribes in Tikrit that have allied with the movement, saying, “They are welcome, and they will find mutual commitment”.