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Sons of Iraq

(Redirected from Sahwa forces)
For other uses, see Sahwah.

The Sons of Iraq (Arabic: أبناء العراق Abnāʼ al-ʻIrāq), also known as al-Sahwah (Arabic: الصحوة, lit. 'the awakening'), were a coalition in the Al Anbar province in Iraq between Sunni tribal leaders as well as former Saddam-era Iraqi military officers that united in 2005 to maintain stability in their communities. A moderate group, they were initially sponsored by General Petraeus and the US military.

Sons of Iraq
Leaders
Dates of operation2005–2013
Group(s)
Active regionsIraq
Size
  • 51,900 (estimated in January 2011)[2]
  • 30,000 (June 6, 2012)[3]
Allies
Opponents Al-Qaeda in Iraq
Battles and wars

After arriving into power, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki relied on sectarian policies to consolidate his power. Maliki denounced the Sons of Iraq as a national threat, actively dismantling them and refusing to integrate them into Iraqi security services. Sunnis formerly serving with the group were faced with options including becoming unemployed or joining the Islamic State.[4] This turn of event is considered a key factor that contributed to the failure for Iraq to stabilize that ultimately led to the War in Iraq (2013-17).[5]

Other names

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The Sons of Iraq were also known by numerous names:

  • Anbar's Salvation (Arabic: إنقاذ الأنبار Inqādh al-Anbār) or Anbar Salvation Council (Arabic: مجلس إنقاذ الأنبار majlis inqadh al-Anbār). In Arabic the council is known as Sahawa Al Anbar (Arabic: صحوة الأنبار), abbreviated SAA when referred to by the US Army. The council has become a model for awakening movements across Iraq, though the Iraqi Defense Ministry has said that it plans to disband the Awakening groups due to concerns about their origins and future intent.[6]
  • National Council for the Salvation of Iraq (Arabic: المجلس الوطني لإنقاذ العراق al-Majlis al-Waṭanī li-Inqādh al-ʻIrāq)
  • Sunni Salvation movement (Arabic: حركة الإنقاذ السني Ḥarakat al-Inqādh al-Sunnī)
  • National Council for the Awakening of Iraq (Arabic: المجلس الوطني لصحوة العراق al-Majlis al-Waṭanī li-Ṣaḥwat al-ʻIrāq)
  • Sunni Awakening movement (Arabic: حركة الصحوة السنية Ḥarakat al-Ṣaḥwah al-Sunnīyah)

Awakening movements in Iraq are also referred to as:

  • "Mercenaries" (Maliki aide,[7] al-Qa'eda)[8]
  • U.S. military/Government of Iraq:
    • "Concerned Local Citizens" – CLC[9]
    • "Sons of Iraq" – SOIZ[10]
    • "Very Worried Iraqis"[11]
    • "Critical Infrastructure Security" – CIS
    • "Abna Al-Iraq" – AAI
  • "Sahwa" militia[12]
  • "Former Sunni insurgents" – CFR Senior Fellow Steven Simon[13]

Overview

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Iraqi police affiliated with the Sons of Iraq in Ramadi

The movement started among Sunni tribes in Anbar Province in 2005 to become an ad hoc armed force across the country in less than a year.[14]

The Awakening fighters in Iraq were credited by many independent analysts with reducing levels of violence in the areas in which they operated;[15] however, the rapid growth of the groups, whose salaries were initially paid for completely by the US military, also led to concerns about allegations of some members' past activities fighting against coalition forces and concerns of infiltration by al-Qaeda.[14] Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki warned that the US-armed 'concerned local citizens' were an armed Sunni opposition in the making, and argued that such groups should be under the command of the Iraqi Army or police.[16]

In 2009, Iraqi Defense Ministry disbanded the Sunni Awakening groups so they would not become a separate military force.[17] Later that year, some Awakening groups threatened to set the streets ablaze and "start a tribal war" after not doing well in elections.[18]

Anbar Awakening

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In 2005, the Albu Mahals, a tribe that smuggled foreign fighters and material across the Syria–Iraq border, was being forced out of their territory by the Al Salmani tribe allied with al-Qaeda in Iraq. The tribe proposed an alliance with the local USMC Battalion under the command of LtCol Dale Alford in November 2005, after being forcibly displaced from their traditional base in Al-Qa'im, and began receiving weapons and training.[14][19] From August to December 2006, the Anbar Province of Iraq was occupied by Al Qaeda (AQI). Much of the stronghold of AQI was in Ramadi, the capital of the Anbar province. The sheikhs and officials were Sunni by sect, so they initially cooperated with AQI to counterbalance the Shiite government and the Shiite insurgents. But later, the terrorism which AQI promoted was not in line with the Sheik's interests. They then joined forces with the US troops in the area, the Iraqi Police and the Provisional Army. They strengthened the city council and dubbed their movement the "awakening". The US and the Iraqi people later gained control of Fallujah and Ramadi. This movement was one of the shining symbols of counterinsurgency policy—rhetoric of the New Way surge policy which George W. Bush outlined in his State of the Union address marked this as the ideal of counterinsurgency. The six points which Bush outlined were met; the people were united to save their city and the US forces gained support of both the officials and citizens.

Despite warnings from some portions of United States intelligence community, Sheik Abdul Sattar Buzaigh al-Rishawi was assassinated along with two bodyguards, by a roadside bomb planted near his home in Ramadi, in September 2007.[20] His brother, Ahmed Abu Risha, took over as leader, but so far has been unable to unite the various awakening militias.[14]

In October 2008, the Iraqi government took over from the American military the responsibility for paying 54,000 members of the Awakening councils.[15] Many of the Awakening fighters put little trust in the Iraqi government to help employ them.[21] "I consider the transfer an act of betrayal by the U.S. Army," said one Awakening member in response to the transfer.[22]

Founding

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Sheik Abdul Sattar Buzaigh al-Rishawi was a Sunni leader in the Al-Anbar province leading a growing movement of Sunni tribesmen who have turned against al-Qaida-linked insurgents.[23] Al-Rishawi, whose father and three brothers were killed by al-Qaida assassins, said insurgents were "killing innocent people, anyone suspected of opposing them. They brought us nothing but destruction and we finally said, enough is enough."

Al-Rishawi founded the Anbar Salvation Council[24] in September 2006 with dozens of Sunni tribes. Many of the new newly friendly leaders are believed to have at least tacitly supported the insurgency in the past, though al-Rishawi said he never did. His movement, also known as the Anbar Awakening, now counts 41 tribes or sub-tribes from Anbar, though al-Rishawi acknowledges that some groups in the province have yet to join. It's unclear how many that is, or much support the movement really has.[23] On September 13, 2007, al-Rishawi was killed along with two of his bodyguards by a roadside bomb near his home in Ramadi, Anbar, Iraq.[25]

Work in Iraq

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The groups were paid by the American military and the Iraqi government to lay down their arms against coalition forces, patrol neighborhoods, and to fight against other Sunni insurgents.[14] The US military says the groups helped it target al-Qaeda in Iraq more precisely and avoid collateral damage.[26] The Washington Post writes the awakening groups caused al-Qaeda in Iraq to soften its tactics in an effort to regain public support.[26]

Fighting against the Americans in the earlier phases of the war, elements of this group have since allied themselves with the U.S. to rid their country of foreign extremist composing mainly of al-Qaeda in Iraq.[27] It has been reported that they have received cars, guns, and ammunition by the Iraqi and U.S. forces to counter the radical Islamists in Al-Anbar province.[28]

Al-Qaeda in Iraq condemned the groups for fighting insurgents and for standing by the "filthy crusaders".[29] Some members of the awakening groups were reportedly former insurgents, and some awakening members have been killed by former awakening members in suicide bombings.[29] Sheiks who worked with the awakening movement also frequently faced killings which originated from outside the movement.[30]

The Government Accountability Office, the audit arm of the United States Congress, warned that the groups had still "not reconciled with the Iraqi government" and that the potential remained for further infiltration by insurgents.[31] That report received wide criticism for its lack of factual data and its reliance upon "Green Zone" analysis.[citation needed]

Disbanding

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The Iraqi Defense Ministry had planned to disband the Awakening groups so they do not become a separate military force. "We completely, absolutely reject the Awakening becoming a third military organization," Iraqi Defense Minister Abdul-Qadir al-Obaidi said. Al-Obaidi said the groups also would not be allowed to have any infrastructure, such as a headquarters building, that would give them long-term legitimacy.[32]

The Iraqi government pledged to absorb about a quarter of the men into the state military and security services, and to provide vocational training to the rest of the members of the Awakening groups. The Iraqi Interior Ministry agreed to hire about 7,000 men on temporary contracts and planned to hire an additional 3,000; however, the ministry hasn't specified the contract length or specific positions for the men to fill.[32] Deborah D. Avant, director of international studies at the University of California-Irvine, said there are ominous similarities between the awakening councils and armed groups in past conflicts that were used for short-term military gains but ended up being roadblocks for state building.[33]

According to Ramzy Mardini, an Iraq expert at the Jamestown Foundation, "the rise of the Awakening councils may risk reigniting the Jaysh al-Mahdi". On February 22, 2008, Muqtada al-Sadr announced that he will extend his ceasefire on his Jaysh al-Mahdi militia.[34] But according to Mardini, the uncertainty facing the Sunni tribal Awakening movement's status may cut that ceasefire short. Mardini suggests that if the movement's demands are not satisfied by Iraq's Shia-dominated central government, the U.S. 'surge' strategy is at risk for failing, "even to the point of reverting back to pre-surge status". Subsequent results of the US-UK 2007 "Iraqi Surge" seem to have disproved Mardini's speculation. Those Awakening Council demands include that Awakening fighters be incorporated into Iraq's security forces, having permanent positions and payrolls.[34]

In August 2008, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki offered 3,000 of the 100,000 Sons of Iraq members jobs in Diyala Province in hopes that it would lead to information about militants in the area. Other members of the paramilitary were used in the Diyala Campaign.[35]

In March 2009, the leader of the Sunni tribal-based Awakening Movement in Fadhil, Baghdad, was arrested on allegations of murder, extortion and "violating the Constitution". Adel al-Mashhadani was accused of being the Fadhil leader of the banned Baath Party's military wing. His arrest sparked a two-day gunbattle between Awakening members and Shia-dominated government security forces.[36] In November 2009 he was convicted and sentenced to death for murder and kidnapping.[37]

By June 6, 2012, about 70,000 members of the group had been integrated into the Iraqi Security Forces or given civilian jobs, with 30,000 continuing to maintain checkpoints and being paid a salary by the government of around $300 per month.[3] On January 29, 2013, Iraqi Shia-appointed officials said they would raise the salaries of Awakening Council fighters, the latest bid to appease Sunni anti-government rallies that erupted in December, 2012.[38] Some 41,000 Awakening Council fighters are to receive 500,000 Iraqi dinars ($415) a month, up from 300,000 dinars ($250).[38]

On January 21, 2013, the Iraqi Shia-dominated government, announced the execution of 26 men convicted of "terrorism", including Adel Mashhadani, who was arrested in March 2009 and sentenced to death in November of that year for killing a young girl in a revenge attack.[1]

Governorate elections in 2009

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Several political parties formed out of the Awakening movements contested the 2009 Iraqi governorate elections. The Iraq Awakening and Independents National Alliance list won the largest number of seats in Anbar Governorate.

Islamic State reprisals

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Following the 2010 re-election of Nouri al-Maliki, the Islamic State began a campaign of assassination of Sunni tribal leaders and the remnants of the Awakening movement in Iraq's Al-Anbar province. The drive-by shootings and point-blank assassinations were documented in an Islamic State video called "The Clanging of the Swords."[39] Between 2009 and 2013, 1,345 Awakening members were killed.[40] In one town, Jurf al-Sakhar, south of Baghdad, 46 Awakening members were killed in 27 incidents.[39]

Members

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Assassinated members

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Iraq executes 26 men, including anti-Qaeda leader". The Daily Star Newspaper. Lebanon. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  2. ^ "Hosted news". Associated Press. Archived from the original on January 24, 2011 – via Google..
  3. ^ a b "Iraq: Politics, Governance, and Human Rights" (PDF). p. 18.
  4. ^ Harvey, Derek; Michael Pregent (June 12, 2014). "Opinion: Who's to blame for Iraq crisis". CNN. Retrieved December 26, 2007.
  5. ^ Chulov, Martin (2023-03-17). "A bloody delusion: how Iraq war led to catastrophic aftermath in Middle East". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-03-17.
  6. ^ "Iraq pledges to disband Sunni volunteer militias". The Statesman. Archived from the original on September 11, 2012. Retrieved January 14, 2008.
  7. ^ "Program in Iraq against al-Qaida faces uncertainty". Associated Press. Archived from the original on July 3, 2008. Retrieved July 3, 2008.
  8. ^ Colin Freeman (April 12, 2008). "Iraqi neighbours rise up against al-Qa'eda". The Telegraph. UK. Archived from the original on June 20, 2008. Retrieved July 3, 2008.
  9. ^ "Concerned Local Citizens Vastly Improve Security in Iraq's Diyala Province". U.S. Department of Defense. Archived from the original on May 16, 2009. Retrieved August 9, 2008.
  10. ^ "The 'Sons of Iraq' Keep the Peace". U.S. News & World Report. February 5, 2008. Archived from the original on April 8, 2008. Retrieved March 16, 2008.
  11. ^ "Shiite Power Struggle Is Iraq's 'Last Battle'". NPR. Archived from the original on November 30, 2014. Retrieved August 6, 2008.
  12. ^ "Sandstorms and suicide bombers". France 24. July 1, 2008. Archived from the original on May 20, 2011. Retrieved July 3, 2008.
  13. ^ "The Role of the 'Sons of Iraq' in Improving Security". CFR. Archived from the original on November 7, 2009. Retrieved August 9, 2008.
  14. ^ a b c d e Rubin, Alissa J.; Damien Cave (December 23, 2007). "In a Force for Iraqi Calm, Seeds of Conflict". The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 24, 2009. Retrieved December 24, 2007.
  15. ^ a b "Iraq government to pay Sunni groups". Al Jazeera. October 3, 2008. Archived from the original on October 1, 2008. Retrieved October 1, 2008.
  16. ^ "US buys 'concerned citizens' in Iraq, but at what price?". Associated Press. October 16, 2007. Archived from the original on September 7, 2008.
  17. ^ Chulov, Martin (2009-04-01). "Iraq disbands Sunni militia that helped defeat insurgents". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2018-09-15.
  18. ^ "Iraq Sunni group accuses tribes of poll incitement". International Herald Tribune. [dead link‍]
  19. ^ Todd Pitman (March 25, 2007). "Iraq's Sunni sheiks join Americans to fight insurgency". U-T San Diego. SignOnSanDiego. Associated Press. Archived from the original on October 13, 2012. Retrieved December 26, 2007.
  20. ^ "Iraqi insurgents kill key US ally". BBC News. September 13, 2007. Archived from the original on September 18, 2008. Retrieved January 29, 2008.
  21. ^ "Iraq's Sunni's Fear Life Without U.S. Oversight". ABC News. Retrieved October 27, 2014.
  22. ^ "Iraq: government takes command of Sons of Iraq". ABC News. AP. Archived from the original on October 28, 2014. Retrieved October 27, 2014.
  23. ^ a b "Sunni Sheiks Join Fight Vs. Insurgency". The Washington Post. March 25, 2007. Retrieved May 10, 2007.
  24. ^ Eli Lake (April 3, 2007). "Meet Iraq's Most Important Man". The New York Sun. Archived from the original on September 6, 2008. Retrieved May 10, 2007.
  25. ^ "Iraqi insurgents kill key US ally". BBC News. September 13, 2007. Archived from the original on October 21, 2007. Retrieved September 13, 2007.
  26. ^ a b "Shift in Tactics Aims to Revive Struggling Insurgency". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 16, 2008.
  27. ^ "Turning Iraq's Tribes Against Al-Qaeda". Time. December 26, 2006. Archived from the original on January 8, 2014. Retrieved June 2, 2007.
  28. ^ "U.S. arming some Sunni groups to fight Al Qaeda". International Herald Tribune. June 11, 2007. Archived from the original on September 14, 2007. Retrieved September 13, 2007.
  29. ^ a b "Group Claims Responsibility for Iraq Attack". The New York Times. June 26, 2008. Archived from the original on November 30, 2014.
  30. ^ [1] Archived October 7, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  31. ^ "Securing, Stabilizing, and Rebuilding Iraq" (PDF). Government Accountability Office. June 2008. Retrieved July 3, 2008.
  32. ^ a b "Iraq pledges to disband Sunni volunteer militias". The Statesman. Archived from the original on 2012-09-11.
  33. ^ "Sunni fighters need political role". USA Today. December 23, 2007. Retrieved October 27, 2014.
  34. ^ a b "Uncertainty Facing Iraq's Awakening Movement Puts U.S. Strategy at Risk". Jamestown Foundation. Archived from the original on October 28, 2014. Retrieved October 27, 2014.
  35. ^ "Sons of Iraq join Diyala offensive". UPI. August 6, 2008. Archived from the original on October 28, 2014. Retrieved October 27, 2014.
  36. ^ "Awakening group in Baghdad battle". Al Jazeera. March 29, 2009. Archived from the original on June 5, 2011. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
  37. ^ John Leland (November 20, 2009). "Iraq Sentences Sunni Leader to Death". The New York Times. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  38. ^ a b "Iraq raises Sahwa militia pay to appease protesters". The Daily Star. January 30, 2013. Archived from the original on October 27, 2014. Retrieved October 27, 2014.
  39. ^ a b Ignatius, David (October 2015). "How ISIS Spread in the Middle East". The Atlantic. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  40. ^ Ignatius, David (November 20, 2014). "Stopping an Awakening in Iraq before it can start". Washington Post. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  41. ^ "Sunni Sheik Who Backed U.S. in Iraq Is Killed". The New York Times. September 14, 2007. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved September 14, 2007.
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