Friction Infiltrates Sunni Patrols on Safer Iraqi Streets
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/23/world/middleeast/23awake.html?_r=1&ref=world&oref=slogin
Summary:
In recent months, violence in some sections of Baghdad including the Adhamiya neighborhood has dropped and the streets have become safer. Although shootouts and car bombing still occur, the violence has decreased. The American military credits this to the members of the Awakening Councils. The Awakening Councils are groups of Iraqis, predominantly Sunni Muslims, who are paid by the United States to fight insurgency and make up 99,000 members. Many of the councils are considered just armed factions that create tension, and some are made up of former insurgents. On October first, most of the Awakening Councils will have their funding switched from the American government to the Iraqi government, which is dominated by Shi’ites.
Analysis:
The article talked about the potential problems of the Sunni insurgency-fighting councils going under the payroll of the Shi’ite Government. This could have bad effects as the Shi’ite government could lower their funding or lay off many of the members of the Awakening Councils. The problem with this is that the money provided by America is the only reason for many of these people not to turn to insurgency. If they are offered money to return to blowing up American cars, they may well do so. This shows one of the major issues that separates Sunni and Shi’ite Muslims in Iraq and creates conflict and violence which is magnified because of the American occupation of Iraq.
Filed under: Dan, Week of September 22-26
