Ex-Insurgents Want More Money - OR ELSE (going back to al-Qaeda)

[Holly_Hobby]

The Iraqi officer leading a U.S.-financed anti-jihadist group is in no mood for small talk -- either the military gives him more money or he will pack his bags and rejoin the ranks of al-Qaeda. "I'll go back to al-Qaeda if you stop backing the Sahwa (Awakening) groups," Col. Satar tells U.S. Lt. Matthew McKernon, as he tries to secure more funding for his men to help battle the anti-U.S. insurgents.

Most members of the Awakening groups are Sunni Arab former insurgents who themselves fought American troops under the al-Qaeda banner after the fall of the regime of executed Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. Some, like Satar, had served in Saddam's army before joining Al-Qaeda. Others were members of criminal gangs before deciding to fight the insurgents, with the backing of the U.S. military.

They earn around 300 dollars a month and their presence at checkpoints and on patrol has become an essential component of the U.S.-led coalition's strategy to restore order in the war-wracked country. "I like my work," said Satar, who is in charge of security south of Baquba in Iraq's eastern Diyala province.

According to McKernon Satar has a contract with the U.S. military to employ 230 men "but he has more than 300" under his command, which is why he wants more money to keep them happy.

...

The comments below the article are interesting too.

http://www.military.com/news/article/exinsurgents-want-more-money-or-else.html?col=1186032310810

[elvisbear]

1. Insurgent welfare?

:wtf:

[Hyuke4]

2. Best thing to do

Best thing to do is get out of Iraq as soon as possible.This is what I am talking about.These are the people responsible for the success of the so called surge that McCain and his ilk are crowing about.
Without the Sunnis move to expel al quieda themselves,things would be much worse,but so many people are ignorant to these truth and facts because of The Bush,Cheney control of our major media and the perpetual harping of We are winning the war,and all that smoke to obscure the fact that it is the Iraqis themselves who
Deserve Credit for the relative calm and changing conditions.
Paying people who to used to kill you to keep the peace,does not make any kind of SURGE successful,no matter how you slice it,and it is Bogus for McCain and this Admin to take credit for it.
It is undue Credit,it is undeserved and a fraud to take credit for it.
Better we leave Iraq and save some face,rather than wait until we are driven out becuase these people will eventually liberate their land from all foreign forces,whether it takes 2 years or 20 years,they will.
And it does not matter what anyone think about the so called "CONDITIONS ON THE GROUND" it is their land,and they will decide that themselves.It will not be up to McCain Obama,or anyone else

[seemslikeadream]

3. Just spreading democracy Holly_Hobby

[Holly_Hobby]

4. Kick n/t