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Iraqi Tribes Turn on al Qaeda
Strategy Page ^ | September 22, 2006 | Harold C. Hutchison

Posted on 09/22/2006 8:36:32 AM PDT by jmc1969

Coalition forces in Iraq have suddenly received the manpower equivalent of three light infantry divisions. They did not suffer any repercussions in domestic politics as a result, and now have a huge edge over al-Qaeda in al-Anbar province. How did this happen? Tribal leaders in the largely Sunni province on the Syrian border got together and signed an agreement to raise a tribal force of 30,000 fighters to take on foreign fighters and terrorists.

These leaders have thrown in with the central government in Baghdad. This is a decisive blow to al Qaeda, which has been desperately trying to fight off an Iraqi government that is getting stronger by the week. Not only are the 30,000 fighters going to provide more manpower, but these tribal fighters know the province much better than American troops – or the foreign fighters fighting for al Qaeda. Also, this represents just over 80 percent of the tribes in al-Anbar province now backing the government.

The biggest gain for the coalition is that they will now have forces on their side that know the terrain in al Anbar province. This is a very big deal in a campaign against the terrorists. When a force knows the terrain, it can make life miserable for its enemies. Just ask any Army unit that has gone through the National Training Center at Fort Irwin. The OPFOR (Opposing Force) has fought there for so long that they know all the good ambush sites. Units coming there for a training session don't have that knowledge – and they pay the price in the exercises held there.

This is just one sign that the tide is turning in favor of the coalition in Iraq. Many of the Sunni leaders have decided that the Shia-dominated Iraqi government is not going away any time soon, nor is the democratic process. As such, the tribal leaders have now decided that it is better to be on their good side rather than to be seen as uncooperative. Constant Arab casualties in al Qaeda attacks – and al Qaeda's desire for a caliphate – have not helped matters any, either.

On the other hand, by signing up with the government, these tribal leaders will hasten the construction of government services, and gain something else just as valuable – the government's gratitude. In essence, the tribal leaders have slowly been won over by a combination of coalition perseverance and al Qaeda strategic ineptness.

This agreement, if it holds, is a win for the United States, which is looking for measurable progress. It is a win for the Shia-dominated Iraqi government, which will now have an easier time in that province. It is a win for the tribal leaders, who will get a few markers they can call in down the road from the government for their assistance. For al Qaeda, now facing the equivalent of three additional light infantry divisions composed of people who will have knowledge of al Anbar province, it is a huge loss.


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: alqaeda; iraq; obl; qaeda; turnover; wot
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To: maryz

Careful here. Remember in this part of the world there is no trust or permanent loyalty. Only rent-a-mobs, and they go to the highest bidder of the moment.

Anbar has been a draw, at best. Perhaps this will tip it the proper direction, perhaps this is nothing but words on the wind.


21 posted on 09/22/2006 9:03:22 AM PDT by petertare (!)
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To: petertare

You probably have a point -- in fact, you do have a point. But it sounds as if their self-interest led them this way, and there are few more reliable motivations. (Where it will lead them in the future, who knows? But I'll take this for now.)


22 posted on 09/22/2006 9:08:55 AM PDT by maryz
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To: girlangler; smoothsailing; jazusamo

Thanks for good news ping GA!


23 posted on 09/22/2006 9:14:27 AM PDT by Just A Nobody (NEVER AGAIN..Support our Troops! www.irey.com and www.vets4Irey.com - Now more than Ever!)
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To: jmc1969
How did this happen?

Sounds like they decided we are not going to cut and run.
24 posted on 09/22/2006 9:15:11 AM PDT by P-40 (Al Qaeda was working in Iraq. They were just undocumented.)
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To: jmc1969



Great News!!! Thanks for the Post!

I'm going to have faith and not doubt over this bit of news! : )


25 posted on 09/22/2006 9:16:02 AM PDT by SoldiersPrayingMom ("And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand." Mk 3:24)
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To: Just A Nobody


Hey there...Just A..... Good to hear you chime in...... : )

Whoo Hoooo!!!!


26 posted on 09/22/2006 9:17:52 AM PDT by SoldiersPrayingMom ("And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand." Mk 3:24)
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To: jmc1969
For al Qaeda, now facing the equivalent of three additional light infantry divisions composed of people who will have knowledge of al Anbar province, it is a huge loss.

This IS huge, and it's not 3 light divisions....it's also every man, women and child belonging to the tribes....don't piss off the Bedouins...ever..

27 posted on 09/22/2006 9:18:46 AM PDT by ScreamingFist (Annihilation - The result of underestimating your enemies. NRA)
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To: jmc1969

It's either get together like this or disintegrate into civil war and be overrun by Iran.


28 posted on 09/22/2006 9:22:13 AM PDT by airborne (Fecal matter is en route to fan! Contact is imminent!)
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To: jmc1969; Just A Nobody

Very good news. Thanks for the post and the ping.


29 posted on 09/22/2006 9:38:19 AM PDT by jazusamo (DIANA IREY for Congress, PA 12th District: Retire murtha.)
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To: jmc1969
RYMB!!!

(Rove, you magnificant bastard!)

Shalom.

30 posted on 09/22/2006 9:40:45 AM PDT by ArGee (The Ring must not be allowed to fall into Hillary's hands.)
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To: kromike
It must suck (for them, not us) to have such consistently bad timing all the time.

Obviously we've had this agreement since April, but Rove was waiting to spread the word.

</sarcasm>

Shalom.

31 posted on 09/22/2006 9:42:38 AM PDT by ArGee (The Ring must not be allowed to fall into Hillary's hands.)
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To: petertare

Bump to that petertare!


32 posted on 09/22/2006 9:53:36 AM PDT by TexKat (Just because you did not see it or read it, that does not mean it did or did not happen.)
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To: dirtboy
"Look for this to be Page D-19 news on the NY Times."

You are so right... additionally the article will be written with a negative spin!

33 posted on 09/22/2006 9:57:23 AM PDT by Dacus943
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To: jmc1969
They need to stay in line, this militia. While they're productive in the short run, it doesn't mean they're the equivalent of the Indiana National Guard. They are local Shi'ite militants.
34 posted on 09/22/2006 9:59:37 AM PDT by unspun (What do you think? Please think, before you answer.)
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To: unspun

They are Sunnis not Shia.


35 posted on 09/22/2006 10:06:56 AM PDT by jmc1969
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To: jmc1969
TANKS,,,Al-Buzai is apparently drawing support,,,
36 posted on 09/22/2006 10:13:38 AM PDT by 1COUNTER-MORTER-68 (THROWING ANOTHER BULLET-RIDDLED TV IN THE PILE OUT BACK~~~~~)
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To: jmc1969

The Islamic Army in Iraq Claims Responsibility for Bombings Targeting American Forces and Iraqi Police and National Guard in Areas of Baghdad
By SITE Institute

September 21, 2006

In three communiqués from several issued today, Thursday, September 21, 2006, by the Islamic Army in Iraq, the group claims responsibility for detonations of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) targeting Iraqi police and National Guard, and “occupation forces” in al-Yusufiyah, al-Dawra, each south of Baghdad, and al-Makaren, west of the capital. The attack on Iraqi police forces occurred Sunday, September 17, destroying a vehicle and killing those people inside; that striking National Guard members took place last Friday, September 15; and the bombing on American forces in al-Makaren was on Monday, September 18, destroying an armored vehicle and killing its crew. According to the message a helicopter was observed to receive the bodies.

http://www.siteinstitute.org/bin/articles.cgi?ID=publications213006&Category=publications&Subcategory=0


37 posted on 09/22/2006 10:14:03 AM PDT by TexKat (Just because you did not see it or read it, that does not mean it did or did not happen.)
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To: bert
I would carry that one step further..... when a force knows each and every house the enemy has no place to hide.

One step further than that... when a force used to cooperate with the enemy, they know who and where they are.

38 posted on 09/22/2006 10:15:45 AM PDT by 3niner (War is one game where the home team always loses.)
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To: dirtboy
Look for this to be Page D-19 news on the NY Times.

Actually, I think the NY slimes would "Round file" it for later reference.

39 posted on 09/22/2006 10:16:43 AM PDT by thingumbob (Dead terrorists don't make more terrorists!)
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To: jmc1969; hellinahandcart
In essence, the tribal leaders have slowly been won over by a combination of coalition perseverance and al Qaeda strategic ineptness.

Which is precisely why Murtha and Effin' should never be allowed to run the country.

40 posted on 09/22/2006 10:17:14 AM PDT by sauropod ("Work as if you were to live 100 Years, Pray as if you were to die To-morrow." - Ben Franklin)
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