Free Headline Alerts     
Worldwide Web WorldTribune.com

  breaking... 


Friday, October 10, 2008

U.S.-funded Sunni 'Awakening Council' forces being absorbed by Iraqis

BAGHDAD — Iraq's Sunni-dominated auxiliary security force has begun to disband amid threats from Shi'ite groups and continuing Al Qaida attacks.

Officials said the U.S.-financed and trained Awakening Council, also called Sons of Iraq, have been disbanding throughout Iraq. They said about 20 percent of the nearly 100,000 auxiliary security officers were being absorbed into the Iraqi military and police.

"The state will integrate all council members and nobody will be excluded, but 20 percent of the members will be merged into the security apparatuses, and the remaining 80 percent will be provided employment opportunities in various ministries," Iraqi Defense Ministry spokesman Sami Al Askari said.

The disbanding of the Awakening Council was said to have proceeded smoothly in many parts of the Baghdad area. In the Yarmouk neighborhood in central Baghdad, Sunni auxiliary officers received their final paycheck from the U.S. military on Oct. 2, Middle East Newsline reported. During the previous day, the Awakening Council in Yarmouk was handed over to the Iraqi government.

Also In This Edition

"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."


About Us     l    Contact Us     l    Geostrategy-Direct.com     l    East-Asia-Intel.com
Copyright © 2008    East West Services, Inc.    All rights reserved.