Intertribal clashes in central Iraq leave eight dead

On November 15, intertribal fighting over agricultural land in central Iraq’s Wasit province resulted in eight fatalities and nine injuries, local security officials reported to AFP.

According to an unnamed provincial security official, who spoke on condition of anonymity as he was not authorised to brief the media, the clashes erupted early in the morning in the village of Kheshan. The conflict involved members of a Bedouin tribe.

“Eight people have died and nine others sustained injuries,” the official confirmed, noting that all those affected were actively participating in the fighting. Security forces have cordoned off the area, although sporadic gunfire continues.

Intertribal tensions are a frequent occurrence in Iraq, a country still struggling with the aftermath of prolonged conflicts and widespread weapon proliferation. What may begin as a minor dispute can quickly escalate into deadly violence.

Tribal groups in Iraq hold substantial influence, often operate under their own moral and legal codes, and maintain significant stockpiles of weapons, contributing to the volatility of such disputes.

By Tamilla Hasanova