12.2007 - Source: UN High Commissioner for Refugees

Sunni 'Awakening' councils from Al-Anbar governorate spread into Baghdad, Diyala, Salah Al-Din, Ninewa, Kirkuk and Babel (" Addendum to UNHCR's Eligibility Guidelines for Assessing the International Protection Needs of Iraqi Asylum-Seekers") [ID 24270]

"In late 2006, Sunni tribes and former insurgent groups in Al-Anbar Governorate began to turn against AQI, which had its stronghold there. In early 2007, the US military started to support and train these groups, which it calls “concerned local citizens” or “auxiliary security forces”. It encouraged these “awakening” movements to spread into other Governorates, including Baghdad, Diyala, Salah Al-Din, Ninewa, Kirkuk and Babel, where the Sunni insurgency has led a violent campaign against the MNF-I/ISF and Iraqi civilians. Such “concerned citizens” man checkpoints, conduct patrols and provide the MNF-I/ISF with intelligence on insurgent activities, using their local knowledge and contacts.

AQI responded to the “awakening” movements by announcing an assassination campaign against leaders of Sunni tribal and insurgent groups, as well as civilians cooperating with them or criticizing AQI. It said it had formed “special security committees” to “assassinate the tribal figures, the traitors, who stained the reputations of the real tribes by submitting to the soldiers of the Crusade.” It also posted a list of names of tribal leaders on the internet, some with photos. The faces of those killed were crossed out. A significant number of tribal leaders have been assassinated in 2007 by AQI."

Document(s): Open document

12.2007 - Source: UN High Commissioner for Refugees

Iraqi government concerned about long-term conflict-potential of 'Awakening' councils (" Addendum to UNHCR's Eligibility Guidelines for Assessing the International Protection Needs of Iraqi Asylum-Seekers") [ID 24271]

"The Iraqi Government, though generally supporting the “awakening” movements, has on several occasions expressed concern, if not outright opposition, to US support of what it considers to be new militias, fearing that they may turn against the Government once AQI has been defeated. Certain members of the awakening movements may even be new actors of persecution. The Iraqi Government has so far been reluctant to make significant political concessions to the Sunni Arab resistance and to include large numbers of tribal and insurgent fighters in the regular ISF. As a result, there is a risk of a continued proliferation of armed groups in Iraq, further undermining the Government’s monopoly on the legitimate use of force."

Document(s): Open document