"They're taking a huge step forward by supporting these guys, by paying
them, and by helping to create meaningful jobs for all of the SOI [Sons of
Iraq]," U.S. Army Capt. James Spofford, an artillery officer who advises the
force, said.
For about 18 months, the 35 Sunni officers worked with the U.S. military
at Joint Security Station Yarmouk. Some of the Awakening Council members in
Yarmouk have already joined the army and police. The Baghdad government
plans to provide its first paycheck to council members on Oct. 15.
"When I first heard about the transition, I'll have to be honest with
you, I was a little scared," Awakening Council commander in Yarmouk Yassin
Mahmoud said. "Some are frightened for the transition."
The provinces of Anbar and Diyala were the first to transition the
Awakening Council members to the Iraqi government. Baghdad, with nearly
60,000 auxiliary officers, then followed.
Officials said at least hundreds of Sunni officers in the Awakening
Council were wanted for attacks on Shi'ites as well as government forces.
They said each member would be vetted before being recruited for either a
civilian or security position.
"The Awakening Councils issue in Anbar had already been resolved as they
formed the army and police there and, thus, there is no problem with that,"
Askar said.
Askari said the U.S. military has exaggerated the number of Awakening
Council members. He said the military reported 10,400 members in Diyala
while the actual number was 5,600.
"The rest were fictitious names and old men," Askari said.
Both the Baghdad government and the U.S. military have been concerned
that thousands of Sunni auxiliary officers, particularly those not accepted
to the security forces, could join Al Qaida. But Awakening Council
commanders said most of those who joined the auxiliary force had revolted
against Al Qaida.
"Their sense of honor, principles, and objectives will prevent them from
returning to square one," Ahmad Abu Rishah, commander of Iraqi Awakening
Council in Anbar, said. "Every one that carried arms against Al Qaida will
be targeted by this criminal organization, but when a large number of the
council members joins the army and police, they will defend the country and
protect their brothers at the industry, commerce or education ministries."