Syria’s Shammar Tribe Leader: President Masoud Barzani Is the Region’s Safety Valve and a Pillar of Historical Dignity
The Shammar tribe, which has maintained a longstanding rapport with the Kurdistan Region, has often emphasized Arab-Kurdish fraternity.
By Ahora Qadi
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – In a symbolic social gathering held in the village of Tal al-Ala, in the Tel Kocher region of Northeast Syria (Western Kurdistan), the Shammar tribal confederation celebrated the recent U.S. decision to lift sanctions on Syria. The event, hosted by Sheikh Manaa Hamid Daham al-Jarba, brought together local dignitaries and Shammar tribal representatives, highlighting a moment of political reflection and communal unity.
Speaking exclusively to Kurdistan 24, Sheikh Manaa Jarba praised the influential and stabilizing role of President Masoud Barzani, describing him as "a safety valve for the region and a statesman whose contributions are engraved in the annals of political history."
“We cannot forget the efforts of His Excellency President Masoud Barzani, whose unwavering commitment to Kurdish affairs and regional issues has safeguarded political stability across Kurdistan and beyond,” the tribal leader affirmed.
A Moment of Fragile Optimism
Addressing the current political landscape, Sheikh Jarba acknowledged the prevailing uncertainty but noted growing signs of reconciliation. “Today, we call ourselves ‘brothers of the land.’ We are the sons of a single region, bound by a shared cause,” he remarked, underscoring the importance of solidarity among the region’s diverse communities.
Barzani and Mazloum Abdi Praised for Political Consensus
In his remarks, Sheikh Jarba expressed particular gratitude to President Barzani and SDF Leader General Mazloum Abdi for their roles in forging political consensus at a pivotal moment.
“We extend our deepest thanks to President Barzani and General Mazloum Abdi for their instrumental efforts in guiding the region toward historic understandings during a profoundly sensitive phase,” he said.
A Legacy of Brotherhood
The Shammar tribe, which has maintained a longstanding rapport with the Kurdistan Region, has often emphasized Arab-Kurdish fraternity. This relationship was notably reaffirmed when President Masoud Barzani sent a condolence letter in November 2022 following the passing of the tribe’s revered leader, Sheikh Hamidi Daham al-Hadi al-Jarba, in Erbil.
In that message, President Barzani wrote:
“The late Sheikh Hamidi was a longtime friend of our people, devoted to strengthening the bond between Arabs and Kurds in Syria and Iraq. May his soul rest in peace, and may his family and tribe find solace in this time of loss.”
Sheikh Hamidi, born in 1936 in Tal Alo near Qamishlo, was a key tribal ally of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria. He was elected governor of the Jazira Canton in 2014 and founded the Sanadid Forces—a 3,000-member unit affiliated with the Syrian Democratic Forces—now led by his son, Bandar Jarba.
Through decades of leadership, the Jarba family has upheld principles of coexistence, partnership, and intercommunal harmony, laying a foundation for continued Arab-Kurdish solidarity in the face of regional transformations.
