The Sunni tribal movement known as the Sons of Iraq (SoI) or Concerned Local Citizens (CLCs) has been a critical partner in Coalition and Iraqi security operations since its creation in the fall of 2006.  The movement began in Anbar Province as Sunni tribes became increasingly alienated from Al-Qaeda in Iraq's (AQI) violent and repressive behavior.  In the city of Ramadi in Anbar Province, Sheik Abdul Sattar Buzaigh al-Rishawi united Sunni t ribes to form the Anbar Awakening and political Sahwa movement to counter AQI's rising influence in the province by securing infrastructure, controlling checkpoints, and carrying out patrols.  The success of the Anbar Awakening gave birth to unaffiliated Sons of Iraq programs outside of Anbar in Baghdad, south of Baghdad in Babil Province, and north of Baghdad in Ninawa, Salah ad-Din, and Diyala Provinces.

     The SoI movement currently employs between 100,000 and 120,000 armed Sunni volunteers each paid roughly $300 a month by U.S. Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs).  Teh continued employment of these volunteers is vital in preventing the resurgence of terror groups and supporting the local economies.  Volunteers work in their own neighborhoods, providing Coalition and Iraqi Forces with invaluable intelligence on weapons caches, foreign fighters, and potential terror cells.  To prevent infiltration of known militants into the SoI ranks, each volunteer has his biometric data and retinal scan recorded into a database.  The SoI movement is viewed as one of the primary reasons for the recent weakening of AQI and for security improvements in central Iraq.  On October 1st, 2008, the Government of Iraq (GOI) is expected to take over the financial compensation of the SoI in Baghdad, marking a shift in how the SoI programs are administered.

     The GOI has grown increasingly concerned about the future of the SoI movement as U.S. Forces begin to withdrawal and the GOI takes over the salaries and re-integration of SoI volunteers.  Current estimates show that the government has successfully transitioned only 5,000 SoI members into the Iraqi Security Forces and expects to accomodate another 20,000 more in the coming years.  Many SoI members have insurgent backgrounds that disqualify them from recruitment into the Iraqi military or police.  In addition, the Sahwa political movement has garnered extensive support among Sunnis throughout Anbar province despite the fact that the GOI prohibits political parties associated with militias.  Sectarian tensions and the future of the Sons of Iraq will be significant poitns of interest for years to come.

For further information on these groups and movements, see Backgrounder #23: Sons of Iraq and Awakening Groups