Iraqis take control of once-bloody Anbar

[unhappycamper]

Iraqis take control of once-bloody Anbar
By Robert H. Reid - The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Sep 2, 2008 6:23:39 EDT

BAGHDAD — American forces on Monday handed security responsibility to the Iraqis in a province that the U.S. once feared was lost — a sign of the stunning reversal of fortunes after local Sunnis turned against al-Qaida in Iraq.

But a Sunni leader criticized the Shiite-led government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki for failing to embrace its new-found allies, a sign of sectarian tensions that stand in the way of a lasting peace.

Nevertheless, the transfer of Anbar province, the cradle of the Sunni insurgency and the birthplace of al-Qaida in Iraq, marked a dramatic milestone in America’s plan to eventually hand over all 18 provinces to Iraqi control so that U.S. troops can go home.

The 25,000 American troops remaining in Anbar will focus on training Iraq’s forces and standing by to help if the Iraqis are unable to cope with any surge in violence.

The ceremony was held under tight security in the center of Ramadi, the provincial capital where American troops fought ferocious battles with al-Qaida and other Sunni insurgents until the tide turned in 2007.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/09/ap_anbar_090108/%2e



uhc comment: The reason the local Sunnis turned against al-Qaida was we are paying them $10 per day each not to shoot at Americans.