Posted on 03/25/2007 1:33:33 PM PDT by jmc1969
Not long ago it would have been unthinkable: a Sunni sheik allying himself publicly with American forces in a xenophobic city at the epicenter of Iraq's Sunni insurgency.
Today, there is no mistaking whose side Sheik al-Rishawi is on. Outside his walled home, a U.S. tank is on permanent guard beside a clutch of towering date palms and a protective dirt berm.
The 36-year-old sheik is leading a growing movement of Sunni tribesmen who have turned against al-Qaida-linked insurgents. The dramatic shift in alliances may have done more in a few months to ease daily street battles and undercut the insurgency here than American forces have achieved in years with arms.
``I was always against these terrorists,'' Sattar said in an interview inside his American-guarded compound, adjusting a pistol holstered around his waist. ``They brainwashed people into thinking Americans were against them. They said foreigners wanted to occupy our land and destroy our mosques. They told us, 'We'll wage a jihad. We'll help you defeat them.'''
The difficult part was convincing others it wasn't true, and that ``building an alliance with the Americans was the only solution,'' Sattar said. His movement, also known as the Anbar Awakening, now counts 41 tribes or sub-tribes, though Sattar acknowledges that some groups in the province have yet to join.
``I'd say 20 percent of the credit for the change in Ramadi could be taken by U.S. forces,'' said Strickland. ``The vast majority of the turnaround is due to the sheiks.''
Still, Sattar complained the Interior Ministry had given police ``one-tenth'' the resources they needed _ from equipment to guns to food, despite promises to do more. Some of the fighters use automatic weapons they brought from home. ``If I had the tools, I could wipe al-Qaida from Anbar within five months,'' Sattar said.
(Excerpt) Read more at kotv.com ...
"``If I had the tools, I could wipe al-Qaida from Anbar within five months,'' Sattar said."
Well now, I like his attitude. I think we should give him a chance.
==I suspect a few of that bunch are actually Islamist provacateurs.
I doubt it. I think they are mostly simple minded "Christians".
Encouraging news, and to think AP actually printed it, amazing!
Hey this will be all over the MSM now that AP has printed it, right?
Encouraging, yes, but lets wait and see who picks it up. I can't see this anyplace in the NYTimes.
Iraqi Sunni Sheiks join American troops to fight against Al Qaeda.
Meanwhile, Ron Paul, Chuck Hagel and the Democrats want us to retreat.
What's wrong with this picture.
Ping
You're right, it'll never be printed in The Slimes.
Not to mention that in the Sunni areas the Shieks are the most prominent businessmen. AlQueda isn't good for the bottom line.
You are exactly right. How can someone advocate the spread of democracy on one hand and yet be so trigger-happy to destroy the very people to whom they wish to spread this democracy?
The Anbar Awakening will win the war faster and more effectively than 10 Army divisions in Anbar.
I think this is the winning of hearts and minds that Rummy foresaw as necessary and eventual.
Quite true and a salient point that I've read elsewhere.
It must've killed the AP to print this, ping.
Thanks J.
I doubt it. I think they are mostly simple minded "Christians".Most probably are. But it's certainly part of Al Qaeda's agenda to try to convince normal Muslims that Americans hate them all.
-Eric
OH NO!
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