Who Are The ‘Awakening’ Forces ?

In going through the tons of information regarding the two wars the U.S. is currently engaged in I kept coming across the term ‘Awakening Forces ‘ so much so that I decided to check it out and get some idea as to its meaning. I found no dictionary meaning but I was able to get a rough idea. They consist of tribal groups and former resistance fighters of the Sunni faction which are being backed by U.S. military.  Many are former resistance fighters who used to attack occupation forces.

To date, the U.S. military has paid more than 17 million dollars to these fighters, whose groups it calls “Concerned Local Citizens” and “Awakening Forces.” Each member receives around 300 dollars monthly.

Well with that said here are a number of links I tracked down regarding their recent activities. This group may very well be yet another group the U.S. will have to contend with and is surely building its political muscle.

IRAQ: Killer of U.S. Soldiers Becomes a Hero

By Ali al-Fadhily and Dahr Jamail*
BAGHDAD, Jan 7 (IPS) – The recent killing of two U.S. soldiers by their Iraqi colleague has raised disturbing questions about U.S. military relations with the Iraqis they work with.

On Dec. 26, an Iraqi soldier opened fire on U.S. soldiers accompanying him during a joint military patrol in the northern Iraqi city Mosul. He killed the U.S. captain and another sergeant, and wounded three others, including an Iraqi interpreter.  More…

Al Qaeda continues attacks on Awakening security forces

By Bill Roggio December 25, 2007 11:55 AM
Al Qaeda in Iraq is continuing to target the local security forces formed by the Awakening movements in the Sunni regions in the central and northern regions in Iraq. On Christmas day, al Qaeda in Iraq conducted suicide attacks in the cities of Baiji and Baqubah. At least 29 Iraqis were killed and 105 wounded in the attacks on Awakening forces in the northern cities. They consist of tribal groups and former resistance fighters of the Sunni faction which are being backed by U.S. military.  Many are former resistance fighters who used to attack occupation forces. More…

‘Awakening’ Forces Arouse New Conflicts

Inter Press Service <http://ipsnews.net/>

By Ali al-Fadhily and Dahr Jamail*

FALLUJAH, Dec 26 (IPS) – The controversial move of the U.S. military to
back Sunni “Awakening” forces has created another wedge between Sunni
and Shia political groups.*
Following disputes between the tribal groups assembled into Awakening
forces and the Iraqi government, the creation of these forces has become
also a political issue.

U.S.-backed Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who heads a Shia
political bloc, has adamantly opposed the U.S.-military policy of
backing tribal groups and former resistance fighters.

To date, the U.S. military has paid more than 17 million dollars to
these fighters, whose groups it calls “Concerned Local Citizens” and
“Awakening Forces.” Each member receives around 300 dollars monthly.
Many are former resistance fighters who used to attack occupation forces.  More…

Tags: 'Awakening' Forces, Al Qaeda in Iraq, Ali al-Fadhily and Dahr Jamail, Bill Roggio, Iraq