Army Colonel's gamble pays off in Iraq

that Iraq is not really a nation. It is a group of warlords. You get in with the local chief rather than with the PM.

Diana

Col MacFarland was in Ramadi (Anbar Province) during the summer of 2006.
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The U.S. military has coaxed a large majority of the Sunnis of Anbar province, perhaps one of the most sympathetic groups to al-Qaeda in the Middle East, to turn on al-Qaeda. The choice wasn't difficult after the tribes saw what al-Qaeda had to offer ? death, torture, Taliban like sharia, humiliation, destruction of commerce. The relationship and intelligence gained form operating in western Iraq will benefit the west during the Long War ? if the U.S. doesn't withdrawal precipitously and leave the Anbar tribes to the predations of al-Qaeda in Iraq. (hi-lite mine)

At the end of the summer, 25 of the 31 Anbar tribes banded together and created the Anbar Salvation Council, to openly fight the al Qaeda, and pledged ?30,000 young men armed with assault rifles who were willing to confront and kill the insurgents and criminal gangs.?The Council has killed and captured numerous 'foreign fighters' and has provided hundreds of recruits for the police and Army, despite horrific attacks designed to terrorize new volunteers.

Article: http://billroggio.com/archives/2006/..._tribes_vs.php
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Anbar has been referred to as the "Sunniest" of the Sunni's.

In reading over the past weeks, Gen Petraeus has met with the leadership of the Anbar Council, and has directed coalition forces that the approach taken by Col MacFarland be adopted to extent possible throughout Iraq.

It's important for people to note that the current "headline" from Iraq about the killing of the head of al Queda Iraq resulted from a battle between Anbar Council fighters and al Queda, not an organized military operation. Possibly, hopefully, the mindset of the population is starting to change.

from a link at the story you posted to:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2007-02-28-saddam-era-ammo_x.htm

TONI

Seems like over the past couple of years, his strategy of the small neighborhood outposts was discussed here and there.

But he took it to another level by negotiating with the sheiks. The Colonel apparently realizes that a military solution must be coupled with a political solution.

Angeline
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