The question is will they actually be paid... I think it would serve well to try to convert these forces into an Iraqi equivalent of the US National Guard. I think it would be dangerous for the Shi'ite dominated Iraqi government to continue their efforts to crackdown on and disband these units...
BBC NEWS | Middle East | Sunni fighters to get Iraqi paySunni fighters to get Iraqi pay
The US military in Iraq says it will soon hand responsibility for paying members of Sunni Arab groups fighting al-Qaeda to the Iraqi government.
About 100,000 former anti-US insurgents have joined the so-called Awakening Councils since September 2006 and received salaries from the US.
Members of the Baghdad Awakening will move to the government payroll on 1 October, with others to follow.
The cost of the former insurgents' salaries amounts to about $360m a year.
The BBC's Mike Sergeant in Baghdad says the Sunni Awakening has made a huge difference to the security situation in Iraq.
A US military spokesman in Baghdad says 54,000 Baghdad Awakening members would be paid by the national government from next month.
Peace area
The first councils were formed in the province of Anbar when local Sunni tribes, who had initially backed al-Qaeda against US forces, turned against it because of its extremist ideology.
Their successful campaign ousted al-Qaeda from Anbar within a year, transforming the huge western province into one of the most peaceful parts of Iraq.
Awakening councils are also found among Sunni Arab tribes in Salaheddin, Diyala, Nineveh and Tamim provinces.
Members have often been the target of attacks by al-Qaeda-inspired militants.
However, there are major concerns about whether the Awakening movement can be integrated into the national government or whether it will continue as an alternative source of political and military power, our correspondent says.
Our correspondent also says there are questions about whether the security gains which resulted from the Awakening can be sustained without US money or a substantial number of US troops on the ground.
Well the Shiites are not in it for Iraq, they're in it for themselves (this is the beauty of politics). So when the U.S. forces eventually leave, it's in their best interests to make certain the Sunnis have little to no power whatsoever so that it will be just that much easier for them to win.Originally Posted by Ironduke
I don't think the region will win. It will be a proxy war for the region.
_________________
Deo Vindice
In the Islamic world, its all about Sectarian supremacy.
Sunnis are no babes in the wood. They have the Sunni sponsors and Sunnis are in the majority the world over, no short in cash and weapons and support!
It was better to have Saddam kicking all these Joes into shape!
The Islamic world hated him and he kept Iran in place!
The US hand was as clean as Pontius Pilate!
Last edited by Ray; 22 Sep 08, at 08:29.
"Some have learnt many Tricks of sly Evasion, Instead of Truth they use Equivocation, And eke it out with mental Reservation, Which is to good Men an Abomination."
I don't have to attend every argument I'm invited to.
HAKUNA MATATA
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