Iraq: Islamic State kills 500 members of the Albu Nimr tribe
Arab and international media have put the Albu Nimr tribe under the spotlight following the execution of hundreds of its members by the Islamic State (IS) [in Iraq]. However, the role of the victim does not suit the tribe, famous for fiercely fighting al-Qaeda in the past and IS currently. The Sunni Albu Nimr tribe is one of the tribes that led the brigade fighting al-Qaeda in Anbar during 2005 and 2006 and was well known for its fierce fight against the organization that tried to convert Iraq into an emirate. But, what is this tribe from Anbar?
History of Albu Nimr tribe
Sheikh Naim Kaoud, affiliated with the Kaoud tribes, told An-Nahar about the emergence of this tribe. He said, “Albu Nimr tribe is part of the larger Dulaim tribe famous for opposing tyrants and occupations. Albu Nimr have, throughout history, showed courageous positions in defending Mesopotamia. The tribe is one of the largest tribes of Anbar and includes more than 500,000 people distributed over Anbar, Salahuddin, Mosul and Baghdad.”
Naim Kaoud added that the tribe was called Albu Nimr after one of its ancestors. He explained that one of the knights of the tribe, traveling in the desert on his horse, was attacked by three tigers — “nimr” in Arabic — and he got off his horse and killed them with his sword. Since then, the tribe has been called Albu Nimr, after this brave knight.