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6,000 Sunnis helping to plug the remaining escape routes for terrorists
H/T Captain's Quarters6,000 Sunnis join pact with U.S. in Iraq U.S. officers describe deal as crucial for stopping militants' escape routes HAWIJA, Iraq - 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 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. Tribesmen will man 200 security checkpoints The ceremony to pledge the 6,000 new fighters was presided over by a 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. For about $275 a month nearly the salary for the typical Iraqi policeman the tribesmen will man about 200 security checkpoints beginning Dec. 7, supplementing hundreds of Iraqi forces already in the area. About 77,000 Iraqis nationwide, mostly Sunnis, have broken with the insurgents and joined U.S.-backed self-defense groups. Those groups have played a major role in the lull in violence: 648 Iraqi civilians have been killed or found dead in November to date, according to figures compiled by The Associated Press. This compares with 2,155 in May as the so-called surge of nearly 30,000 additional American troops gained momentum. Anyone else notice this now often used phrase so-called "surge" It keeps poppin up in different spots. And prolly by the same folks that were so opposed to the "surge" to begin with! Now, it's the so-called "surge." Posted by: Sherry 2007-11-29 |
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