Senior Opposition Figure Urges Iraq's Mediation to Return to Syria

The Arabic-language al-Mayadeen news channel quoted informed sources as saying on Saturday that Jarba is ready to send a delegation to Damascus to meet with Syrian officials.

The report said al-Jabra has stressed his full alignment with Iraq's strategy on Syria.

"(In his meeting with the Iraqi officials) al-Jarba also called for the deployment of tribal forces, under the Syrian government flag, in regions the US forces are due to withdraw from," the sources said, adding that he seeks to have a meeting with the Syrian officials in Baghdad or any other place and favors to implement the experience of Iraq's Hashd al-Ashayeri - using tribal forces to protect the country - in Syria.

Jarba is the former head of the opposition National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces.

He enjoys strong ties with Saudi Arabia and the UAE and commands what he says is a force of 3,000, currently deployed between Deir Ezzur to the East, Raqqa to the North and Hasaka in the Northeastern corner of Syria.

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