Sons of Iraq

{{Short description|Iraqi military group in Al Anbar (2005–2013)}} {{other uses|Sahwah (disambiguation){{!}}Sahwah}} {{Infobox War Faction | name = Sons of Iraq | war = | image = Flag of the Iraq Awakening Conference.svg | caption = Flag of the Iraq Awakening Conference | active = 2005–2013 | leaders = {{plain list| * Sheik Abdul Sattar Buzaigh al-Rishawi (assassinated) {{executed}} * Sheikh Ali Hatem Ali Sulaiman * Sheikh Abdul-Jabbar Abu Risha * Sheikhs of Al-Bu Nimr * Sheiks of Al-Bu Issa * Saad Ghaffoori (a.k.a. Abu Abed) * Abu Azzam al Tamimi {{executed}} * Adel al-Mashhadani (killed in January 2014) {{executed}}<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web |url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2014/Jan-21/244808-iraq-hangs-26-convicted-on-terror-charges.ashx |title=Iraq executes 26 men, including anti-Qaeda leader|work=The Daily Star Newspaper |location=Lebanon|access-date=27 October 2014}}</ref> }} | clans = {{plain list| * Albu Risha * Al-Jaghayfa * Al-Jabbour * Albu Fahd * Albu Nimr * Albu Isa * Albu Dhiyab * Albu Ali * Albu Fraj}} | headquarters = | area = Iraq | ideology = Islamic democracy<br>Iraqi nationalism | size = {{plain list| * 51,900 (estimated in January 2011)<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5giS6f51ZFjhO3ii2IvM1Mzet41aw?docId=2279c86f157b4c7fb57c07c24d600ce1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110124101844/http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5giS6f51ZFjhO3ii2IvM1Mzet41aw?docId=2279c86f157b4c7fb57c07c24d600ce1 |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 24, 2011 |title=Hosted news |publisher=Associated Press |via=Google}}.</ref> * 30,000 (June 6, 2012)<ref name="Iraq: Politics, Governance, and Human Rights" />}} | allies = {{Plain list| * {{Flagicon|United States}} United States * {{Flagicon|Iraq}} Iraq}} | opponents = {{flagicon image|Flag of al-Qaeda in Iraq (2004-2005).svg}} Al-Qaeda in Iraq | battles = {{tree list}} * Iraq War ** Iraqi insurgency (2003-2011) ** Iraqi civil war (2006–2008) * Iraqi insurgency (2011–2013) * 2013 Hawija clashes * War in Iraq (2013–2017) {{tree list/end}} }}

The '''Sons of Iraq''' ({{langx|ar| أبناء العراق}} ''Abnāʼ al-ʻIrāq''), also known as '''al-Sahwah''' ({{Langx|ar|الصحوة|lit=the awakening}}), were a coalition in the Al Anbar governorate in Iraq between Sunni tribal leaders as well as former Saddam-era Iraqi military officers that united in 2005 against Al-Qaeda in Iraq. A moderate group, they received extensive funding from the US.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Mabon |first1=Simon |last2=Royle |first2=Stephen |title=The origins of ISIS |page=89-91}}</ref> The group's creation was spearheaded by US General David Petraeus to defeat AQI in Al Anbar by providing hundreds of millions of dollars in subsidies to tribal leaders and fighters.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Mabon |first1=Simon |last2=Royle |first2=Stephen |title=The origins of ISIS |page=89-91}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2014/06/12/opinion/pregent-harvey-northern-iraq-collapse/?c=&page=0 |title=Opinion: Who's to blame for Iraq crisis |first=Derek |last=Harvey |author2=Michael Pregent |publisher=CNN |date=June 12, 2014 |access-date=December 26, 2007}}</ref> This turn of events is considered a key factor that contributed to the failure of Iraq to stabilize, ultimately leading to the War in Iraq (2013-17).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Chulov |first=Martin |date=2023-03-17 |title=A bloody delusion: how Iraq war led to catastrophic aftermath in Middle East |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/17/iraq-war-invasion-2003-aftermath-middle-east-islamic-state |access-date=2023-03-17 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

== Other names == The Sons of Iraq were also known by numerous names: * '''Anbar's Salvation''' ({{langx|ar|إنقاذ الأنبار}} ''Inqādh al-Anbār'') or '''Anbar Salvation Council''' ({{langx|ar|مجلس إنقاذ الأنبار}} {{Transliteration|ar|DIN|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.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/world/12/23/1223iraqdaily.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120911032831/http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/world/12/23/1223iraqdaily.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 11, 2012|title=Iraq pledges to disband Sunni volunteer militias|work=The Statesman|accessdate=January 14, 2008}}</ref> * '''National Council for the Salvation of Iraq''' ({{langx|ar|المجلس الوطني لإنقاذ العراق}} ''{{Transliteration|ar|ALA|al-Majlis al-Waṭanī li-Inqādh al-ʻIrāq}}'') * '''Sunni Salvation movement''' ({{langx|ar|حركة الإنقاذ السني}} ''{{Transliteration|ar|ALA|Ḥarakat al-Inqādh al-Sunnī}}'') * '''National Council for the Awakening of Iraq''' ({{langx|ar|المجلس الوطني لصحوة العراق}} ''{{Transliteration|ar|ALA|al-Majlis al-Waṭanī li-Ṣaḥwat al-ʻIrāq}}'') * '''Sunni Awakening movement''' ({{langx|ar|حركة الصحوة السنية}} ''{{Transliteration|ar|ALA|Ḥarakat al-Ṣaḥwah al-Sunnīyah}}'')

Awakening movements in Iraq are also referred to as: * "Mercenaries" (Maliki aide,<ref>{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5itpKoLcRTLxc8P22OJrd7ZIs440QD91JUGO81 |title=Program in Iraq against al-Qaida faces uncertainty |access-date=July 3, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080703200218/http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5itpKoLcRTLxc8P22OJrd7ZIs440QD91JUGO81 |archive-date=July 3, 2008 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> al-Qa'eda)<ref>{{cite news|place=UK |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1584898/Iraqi-neighbours-rise-up-against-al-Qa'eda.html |author=Colin Freeman |title=Iraqi neighbours rise up against al-Qa'eda |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=April 12, 2008 |access-date=July 3, 2008 |archive-date=June 20, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080620180339/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1584898/Iraqi-neighbours-rise-up-against-al-Qa'eda.html }}</ref> * U.S. military/Government of Iraq: ** "Concerned Local Citizens" – CLC<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=47783 |publisher=U.S. Department of Defense |title=Concerned Local Citizens Vastly Improve Security in Iraq's Diyala Province |access-date=August 9, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090516190404/http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=47783 |archive-date=May 16, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ** "Sons of Iraq" – SOIZ<ref name=USNews>{{cite news |url=https://www.usnews.com/blogs/news-desk/2008/2/5/the-sons-of-iraq-keep-the-peace.html |newspaper=U.S. News & World Report |date=February 5, 2008 |title=The 'Sons of Iraq' Keep the Peace |access-date=March 16, 2008 |archive-date=April 8, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080408075519/http://www.usnews.com/blogs/news-desk/2008/2/5/the-sons-of-iraq-keep-the-peace.html |df=mdy-all }}</ref> ** "Very Worried Iraqis"<ref name="NPR">{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93267648 |publisher=NPR |title=Shiite Power Struggle Is Iraq's 'Last Battle' |access-date=August 6, 2008 |archive-date=November 30, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141130071237/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93267648 }}</ref> ** "Critical Infrastructure Security" – CIS ** "Abna Al-Iraq" – AAI * "Sahwa" militia<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.france24.com/en/20080701-iraq-lucas-menget-al-anbar-suicide-attack-report |title=Sandstorms and suicide bombers |newspaper=France 24 |date=July 1, 2008 |access-date=July 3, 2008 |archive-date=May 20, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520124648/http://www.france24.com/en/20080701-iraq-lucas-menget-al-anbar-suicide-attack-report }}</ref> * "Former Sunni insurgents" – CFR Senior Fellow Steven Simon<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cfr.org/publication/16088/role_of_the_sons_of_iraq_in_improving_security.html |publisher=CFR |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091107205902/http://www.cfr.org/publication/16088/role_of_the_sons_of_iraq_in_improving_security.html |archive-date=November 7, 2009 |url-status=dead |title=The Role of the 'Sons of Iraq' in Improving Security |access-date=August 9, 2008 }}</ref>

== Overview == left|thumb|250x250px|Iraqi police affiliated with the Sons of Iraq in Ramadi The movement started among Sunni tribes in Al Anbar governorate in 2005 to become an ad hoc armed force across the country in less than a year.<ref name=Seeds>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/23/world/middleeast/23awakening.html?pagewanted=all |title=In a Force for Iraqi Calm, Seeds of Conflict |first=Alissa J. |last=Rubin |author2=Damien Cave |work=The New York Times |date=December 23, 2007 |archive-date=April 24, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090424225431/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/23/world/middleeast/23awakening.html?pagewanted=all |url-status=live |access-date=December 24, 2007 }}</ref>

The Awakening fighters in Iraq were credited by many independent analysts with reducing levels of violence in the areas in which they operated;<ref name="Iraq government to pay Sunni groups">{{cite news|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2008/10/200810151630737451.html |title=Iraq government to pay Sunni groups |agency=Al Jazeera |date=October 3, 2008 |access-date=October 1, 2008 |archive-date=October 1, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081001070903/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2008/10/200810151630737451.html |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref name=Seeds/> 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.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iMzKGlyT_ahqRjtyXrAUrKIQLncA |title=US buys 'concerned citizens' in Iraq, but at what price? |agency=Associated Press |date=October 16, 2007 |archive-date=September 7, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907015324/http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iMzKGlyT_ahqRjtyXrAUrKIQLncA |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 2009, Iraqi Defense Ministry disbanded the Sunni Awakening groups so they would not become a separate military force.<ref>{{Cite news |issn=0261-3077 |last=Chulov |first=Martin |title=Iraq disbands Sunni militia that helped defeat insurgents |work=The Guardian |access-date=2018-09-15 |date=2009-04-01 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/apr/02/iraq-sunni-militia-disbanded}}</ref> Later that year, some Awakening groups threatened to set the streets ablaze and "start a tribal war" after not doing well in elections.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/reuters/2009/02/03/africa/OUKWD-UK-IRAQ-ELECTION-SUNNIS.php|title=Iraq Sunni group accuses tribes of poll incitement|work=International Herald Tribune}} {{Dead link|date=November 2014}}</ref>

== Anbar Awakening == 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.<ref name=Seeds /><ref name=Sheiksjoin>{{cite news|url=http://legacy.utsandiego.com/news/world/iraq/20070325-1237-fightingbackinanbar.html |title=Iraq's Sunni sheiks join Americans to fight insurgency |author=Todd Pitman |agency=Associated Press |work=U-T San Diego |publisher=SignOnSanDiego |date=March 25, 2007 |access-date=December 26, 2007 |archive-date=October 13, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013190404/http://legacy.utsandiego.com/news/world/iraq/20070325-1237-fightingbackinanbar.html }}</ref> From August to December 2006, the al-Anbar governorate of Iraq was occupied by Al Qaeda (AQI). Much of the stronghold of AQI was in Ramadi, the capital of the al-Anbar governorate. 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.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6993211.stm |title=Iraqi insurgents kill key US ally |publisher=BBC News |date=September 13, 2007 |access-date=January 29, 2008 |archive-date=September 18, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080918054526/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6993211.stm }}</ref> His brother, Ahmed Abu Risha, took over as leader, but so far has been unable to unite the various awakening militias.<ref name=Seeds />

In October 2008, the Iraqi government took over from the American military the responsibility for paying 54,000 members of the Awakening councils.<ref name="Iraq government to pay Sunni groups" /> Many of the Awakening fighters put little trust in the Iraqi government to help employ them.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=5926340&page=1 |title=Iraq's Sunni's Fear Life Without U.S. Oversight|publisher=ABC News|access-date=October 27, 2014}}</ref> "I consider the transfer an act of betrayal by the U.S. Army," said one Awakening member in response to the transfer.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=5928140|title=Iraq: government takes command of Sons of Iraq|agency=AP|publisher=ABC News|access-date=October 27, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028011121/https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=5928140|archive-date=October 28, 2014}}</ref>

== Founding == Sheik Abdul Sattar Buzaigh al-Rishawi was a Sunni leader in the Al-Anbar governorate leading a growing movement of Sunni tribesmen who have turned against al-Qaida-linked insurgents.<ref name="Sunni Sheiks Join Fight Vs. Insurgency">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/25/AR2007032500600.html|title=Sunni Sheiks Join Fight Vs. Insurgency|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=March 25, 2007|accessdate=May 10, 2007}}</ref> 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<ref name="Meet Iraq's Most Important Man">{{cite news|url=http://www.nysun.com/article/51693 |author=Eli Lake |title=Meet Iraq's Most Important Man |work=The New York Sun |date=April 3, 2007 |accessdate=May 10, 2007 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080906171356/http://www.nysun.com/article/51693 |archivedate=September 6, 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> 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 governorate have yet to join. It's unclear how many that is, or much support the movement really has.<ref name="Sunni Sheiks Join Fight Vs. Insurgency"/> 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.<ref name="Iraqi insurgents kill key US ally">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6993211.stm |title=Iraqi insurgents kill key US ally |publisher=BBC News |date=September 13, 2007 |accessdate=September 13, 2007 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071021085013/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6993211.stm |archivedate=October 21, 2007 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Work in Iraq == 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.<ref name= Seeds/> The US military says the groups helped it target al-Qaeda in Iraq more precisely and avoid collateral damage.<ref name=WPost>{{cite news|access-date=March 16, 2008|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/07/AR2008020703854.html?hpid=topnews|title=Shift in Tactics Aims to Revive Struggling Insurgency|newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref> ''The Washington Post'' writes the awakening groups caused al-Qaeda in Iraq to soften its tactics in an effort to regain public support.<ref name=WPost/>

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.<ref name="Turning Iraq's Tribes Against Al-Qaeda">{{cite magazine|url=http://content.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1572796,00.html |title=Turning Iraq's Tribes Against Al-Qaeda |magazine=Time |date=December 26, 2006 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108055950/http://content.time.com/time/world/article/0%2C8599%2C1572796%2C00.html |archivedate=January 8, 2014 |url-status=live |accessdate=June 2, 2007 }}</ref> 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 governorate.<ref name="U.S. arming some Sunni groups to fight Al Qaeda">{{cite news|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/06/11/frontpage/strat.php |title=U.S. arming some Sunni groups to fight Al Qaeda |work=International Herald Tribune |date=June 11, 2007 |accessdate=September 13, 2007 |archivedate=September 14, 2007 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070914084315/http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/06/11/frontpage/strat.php }}</ref>

Al-Qaeda in Iraq condemned the groups for fighting insurgents and for standing by the "filthy crusaders".<ref name=NYT062908>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/29/world/middleeast/29iraq.html?ref=middleeast&_r=1& |title=Group Claims Responsibility for Iraq Attack |work=The New York Times |date=June 26, 2008 |archive-date=November 30, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141130074652/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/29/world/middleeast/29iraq.html?ref=middleeast&_r=1& }}</ref> Some members of the awakening groups were reportedly former insurgents, and some awakening members have been killed by former awakening members in suicide bombings.<ref name=NYT062908/> Sheiks who worked with the awakening movement also frequently faced killings which originated from outside the movement.<ref>[http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/1043498.html] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007092941/http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/1043498.html|date=October 7, 2008}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d08837.pdf|publisher=Government Accountability Office|date=June 2008|title=Securing, Stabilizing, and Rebuilding Iraq|access-date=July 3, 2008}}</ref> That report received wide criticism for its lack of factual data and its reliance upon "Green Zone" analysis.{{citation needed|date=July 2014}}

== Disbanding == 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.<ref name="AwakeDisband">{{cite news|url=http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/world/12/23/1223iraqdaily.html|title=Iraq pledges to disband Sunni volunteer militias|journal=The Statesman|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120911032831/http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/world/12/23/1223iraqdaily.html|archive-date=2012-09-11}}</ref>

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.<ref name="AwakeDisband"/> 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.<ref name="Awake_USAToday">{{cite news|access-date=October 27, 2014 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/topstories/2007-12-23-1748979433_x.htm|title=Sunni fighters need political role|work=USA Today|date=December 23, 2007}}</ref>

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.<ref name="Jamestown">{{cite news|url=http://www.jamestown.org/tm/?articleid=2373988 |title=Uncertainty Facing Iraq's Awakening Movement Puts U.S. Strategy at Risk |publisher=Jamestown Foundation |access-date=October 27, 2014 |archive-date=October 28, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028073350/http://www.jamestown.org/tm/?articleid=2373988 }}</ref> 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.<ref name="Jamestown"/>

In August 2008, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki offered 3,000 of the 100,000 Sons of Iraq members jobs in Diyala governorate in hopes that it would lead to information about militants in the area. Other members of the paramilitary were used in the Diyala Campaign.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.upi.com/Emerging_Threats/2008/08/06/Sons-of-Iraq-join-Diyala-offensive/UPI-56801218068861/ |title=Sons of Iraq join Diyala offensive |agency=UPI |date=August 6, 2008 |access-date=October 27, 2014 |archive-date=October 28, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028021138/http://www.upi.com/Emerging_Threats/2008/08/06/Sons-of-Iraq-join-Diyala-offensive/UPI-56801218068861/ }}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2009/03/200932917620568226.html |title=Awakening group in Baghdad battle |agency=Al Jazeera |date=March 29, 2009 |access-date=October 25, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605180912/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2009/03/200932917620568226.html |archive-date=June 5, 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> In November 2009 he was convicted and sentenced to death for murder and kidnapping.<ref>{{cite news|author=John Leland|author-link=John Leland (journalist)|title=Iraq Sentences Sunni Leader to Death|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/20/world/middleeast/20iraq.html?_r=0|date=November 20, 2009|access-date=July 15, 2014|newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref>

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.<ref name="Iraq: Politics, Governance, and Human Rights">{{cite web|url=http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/mideast/RS21968.pdf|title=Iraq: Politics, Governance, and Human Rights|page=18}}</ref> 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.<ref name="dailystar.com.lb">{{cite news|url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2013/Jan-30/204244-iraq-raises-sahwa-militia-pay-to-appease-protester.ashx#axzz2MHrHW7tj |title=Iraq raises Sahwa militia pay to appease protesters |work=The Daily Star |date=January 30, 2013 |access-date=October 27, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141027230510/http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2013/Jan-30/204244-iraq-raises-sahwa-militia-pay-to-appease-protester.ashx#axzz2MHrHW7tj |archive-date=October 27, 2014 }}</ref> Some 41,000 Awakening Council fighters are to receive 500,000 Iraqi dinars ($415) a month, up from 300,000 dinars ($250).<ref name="dailystar.com.lb"/>

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.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

== Governorate elections in 2009 == 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 == 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 governorate. The drive-by shootings and point-blank assassinations were documented in an Islamic State video called "The Clanging of the Swords."<ref name=IGNATIUS-10-15>{{cite journal|last1=Ignatius|first1=David|title=How ISIS Spread in the Middle East|journal=The Atlantic|date=October 2015|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2015/10/how-isis-started-syria-iraq/412042/|access-date=29 October 2015}}</ref> Between 2009 and 2013, 1,345 Awakening members were killed.<ref name=Ignatius-10-20-14>{{cite news|last1=Ignatius|first1=David|title=Stopping an Awakening in Iraq before it can start|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/david-ignatius-stopping-an-awakening-before-it-can-start/2014/11/20/5939c22a-70fc-11e4-8808-afaa1e3a33ef_story.html|access-date=29 October 2015|newspaper=Washington Post|date=November 20, 2014}}</ref> In one town, Jurf al-Sakhar, south of Baghdad, 46 Awakening members were killed in 27 incidents.<ref name="IGNATIUS-10-15"/>

== Members == * Sheikh Ahmed Abu Risha was the head in 2007.<ref name="Sunni Sheik Who Backed U.S. in Iraq Is Killed">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/14/world/middleeast/14iraq.html?_r=4&pagewanted=1&ref=middleeast |title=Sunni Sheik Who Backed U.S. in Iraq Is Killed |work=The New York Times |date=September 14, 2007 |accessdate=September 14, 2007 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129181734/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/14/world/middleeast/14iraq.html?_r=4&pagewanted=1&ref=middleeast |archivedate=November 29, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Assassinated members === * Abdul Sattar Buzaigh al-Rishawi – former leader of the Anbar Salvation Council * Fasal al Gaood – former governor of the al Anbar governorate

== See also == {{Portal|Iraq}} * 2005 in Iraq * 2006 in Iraq * 2007 in Iraq * 2008 in Iraq * Abdul Sattar Abu Risha * Al-Qaeda in Iraq * Iraqi civil war (2006–2008) * Iraq War troop surge of 2007 * Saad Ghaffoori * Ma'awisley, similar phenomenon in Somalia during the Somali civil war.

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == {{commons category}} * {{cite news |url=http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2007/04/iraq_report_anbar_awakening_sp.asp|work=The Weekly Standard |title=Iraq Report: Anbar Awakening Spreads, Petraeus Connects Iran to Attacks in Iraq|access-date=2007-05-24|archive-date=2015-09-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150920001442/http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2007/04/iraq_report_anbar_awakening_sp.asp|url-status=dead}} * {{cite web|url=http://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/sons-iraq-and-awakening-forces |publisher=Institute for the Study of War |title=Backgrounder: Sons of Iraq and Awakening Forces |date=February 21, 2008 |archive-date=September 5, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905100017/http://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/sons-iraq-and-awakening-forces }} * {{cite journal|url=http://www.michaeltotten.com/archives/001514.html |author=Michael Totten |title=The Battle of Ramadi |date=September 10, 2007 |journal=Middle East Journal |archive-date=September 12, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070912131736/http://www.michaeltotten.com/archives/001514.html }} * {{cite journal|url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2007/12/the_awakening_al_qae.php |journal=The Long War Journal |author=Bill Roggio |title=The Awakening, al Qaeda clash in Iraq |date=December 17, 2007 |archive-date=October 24, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071024180050/http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2007/12/the_awakening_al_qae.php }} * {{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/01/08/iraq.main/index.html |publisher=CNN |title=Iraqi Awakening Council members kidnapped, killed |date=January 8, 2008 |archive-date=January 12, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080112170401/http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/01/08/iraq.main/index.html }} * {{cite news |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2007/10/29/MNUCT2H61.DTL |author=Amit R. Paley |work=SFGate |title=10 tribal leaders aiding U.S. abducted |date=October 29, 2007 |archive-date=October 31, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071031044916/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=%2Fc%2Fa%2F2007%2F10%2F29%2FMNUCT2H61.DTL |agency=The Washington Post}} * {{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/03/10/iraq.main/index.html |title=Teen female bomber tricks, kills Iraqi CLC sheik |date=March 11, 2008 |archive-date=March 11, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080311144150/http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/03/10/iraq.main/index.html |publisher=CNN}} * {{cite journal |url=http://smallwarsjournal.com/blog/2007/08/anatomy-of-a-tribal-revolt |author=Kilcullen, David|title=Anatomy of a Tribal Revolt |journal=Small Wars Journal|date=August 29, 2007|access-date=March 16, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080316103256/http://smallwarsjournal.com/blog/2007/08/anatomy-of-a-tribal-revolt/|archive-date=March 16, 2008|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}} * {{cite news|url=http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/JK19Ak02.html |author=Murad Batal Al-shishani |work=Asia Times |title=Al-Qaeda 'awakens' in Iraq |date=November 19, 2008 |archive-date=January 17, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130117101843/http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/JK19Ak02.html }}

== External links == *[https://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0626/p01s02-usfp.html?page=1 'Anbar model' under fire] ''The Christian Science Monitor''

{{Armed Iraqi Groups in the Iraq War and the Iraq Civil War}}

Category:2005 establishments in Iraq Category:Conflicts in 2005 Category:Conflicts in 2006 Category:Conflicts in 2007 Category:Factions in the Iraq War Category:Iraq–United States relations Category:Counterinsurgency organizations Category:Non-military counterinsurgency organizations Category:Non-military counterterrorist organizations Category:Occupation of Iraq Category:Paramilitary forces of Iraq Category:Politics of Iraq Category:War on terror