6,000 Sunnis Join Pact With US in Iraq

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

6,000 Sunnis Join Pact With US in Iraq

Thursday November 29, 2007 12:01 AM

By LAUREN FRAYER

Associated Press Writer

HAWIJA, Iraq (AP) - Nearly 6,000 Sunni Arab residents
joined a security pact with American forces Wednesday in
what U.S. officers described as a critical step in plugging
the remaining escape routes for extremists flushed from
former strongholds.

The new alliance - called the single largest single volunteer
mobilization since the war began - covers the “last gateway”
for groups such as al-Qaida in Iraq seeking new havens in
northern Iraq, U.S. military officials said.

U.S. commanders have tried to build a ring around insurgents
who fled military offensives launched earlier this year in the
western Anbar province and later into Baghdad and
surrounding areas. In many places, the U.S.-led battles were
given key help from tribal militias - mainly Sunnis - that had
turned against al-Qaida and other groups.

-snip-

The ceremony to pledge the 6,000 new fighters was presided
over by dozen sheiks - each draped in black robes trimmed
with gold braiding - who signed the contract on behalf of
tribesmen at a small U.S. outpost in north-central Iraq.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-7111934,00.html

[Teaser]

1. Makes for nice theater, anyway

if nothing else.

[Bonhomme Richard]

2. Next line. "Now, where do we go to get our money?" n/t

[hollowdweller]

3. Maybe they are betting if they help get the country calm we will get the hell out?

Of course unless the Dems carry congress and the Presidency in 08 they may be betting wrong.

In any event if the country calms down and we don't pull back it will confirm what most people believe, that we intendend to permanently occupy the country.

[Grandrose]

4. How many extra billions will it cost the taxpayers...?

Protection money...anyone!:eyes:

[ohio2007]

5. U.S. military to hire 10,000 Iraqi neighborhood guards, then cap program

BAGHDAD: The American military expects to add roughly 10,000 people to its roster of unofficial security guards who act as paid neighborhood watchdogs here, and will then cap the program, a military official said on Wednesday.

The guards were hired by the tens of thousands earlier this year, when American forces offered tribal sheiks money in exchange for information about terrorist and other criminal activities. About 77,000 people, who are alternately called volunteers, concerned local citizens, or members of awakening councils, have joined, the vast majority of them Sunnis.

The program has been credited with helping to sharply drive down violence nationwide, but also has stirred concerns among Shiites that the Sunnis would use the money and training to reform militias.

snip
http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/11/28/africa/28iraq.php#end_main

the neighborhood watch program.

[ohio2007]

6. BBC video ; Iraqi Militia Turn Away From Violence. -

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=86f_1196273519