Alwaght – federalism in Iraq is contingent on tribal sentiments. It is perused by some tribal groups rather than by Iraqi nation, told a source close to al-Abadi government.
The informed source, who asked for anonymity, told Alwaght according to government views, Iraq's condition is not ready for establishing federalism. Therefore, measures taken by some groups in southern and central provinces are an individual innovation which lacks popular support of both Sunnis and Shiites.
He went on saying that federalism is a necessity for Iraq that its establishment has some external preconditions. Following this issue before its proper time may lead to political struggles between pros and cons of federalism in Iraq, he added. Today expanding security umbrella of government all over the country is a necessity. Those who seek to establish federalism in status quo are not representative of Shiites but a small part that has made problems by their premature federalism plan in Shiite regions.
Although federalism is included in Iraq's constitution and is established in northern Iraq, establishing a comprehensive and systematic federalism in the country takes great deals of time. In other word, establishing federalism in Iraq is impossible unless ambiguities on this issue are removed. For example, federalism in the Iraqi Kurdistan region has exceeded standard notion of federalism. Independent flag, military units, as well as relations with regional countries are characteristics of an autonomous government rather than a federative one. Before establishing federalism in Shiite regions, mechanism of this system of government in western provinces, mostly Sunni-populated, should also be determined.
To establish federalism in Sunni regions, at first , disputes over borders of al-Anbar and Karbala provinces, changed in Saddam's regime, should be defused that seems hard to be achieved.
