The People Of Iraq Vs. Al Qaeda
Wearing a bandanna that hides his face, Omam Abed leads U.S. soldiers on raids in the west Baghdad streets where he grew up—kicking down doors and interrogating neighbors in search of fighters for al-Qaida in Iraq.
The 20-year-old is part of a ragtag collection of former Sunni insurgents—some even from the al-Qaida ranks—who have thrown their support behind U.S.-led security forces under pacts of mutual convenience.
The Sunni militiamen have grown leery of al-Qaida in Iraq and its ambitions, including self-proclaimed aims of establishing an Islamic state. The Pentagon, in turn, has latched onto its most successful strategy in months: partnering with former extremists who have the local know-how to help root out al-Qaida in Iraq.
But for Abed and others, this new war also brings grave dangers.
In Abed’s Amariyah neighborhood—an affluent district that was home to privileged insiders under Saddam Hussein—the U.S.-allied band of about 150 former Sunni militants is now the No. 1 target for al-Qaida hitmen.
Last month, two of Abed’s best friends, both 18-year-old members who also decided to aid U.S. forces, were dragged out of their high school during final exams and beheaded. Their bodies were flung up into a tree with the severed heads displayed on the sidewalk below, according to Abed and U.S. military officers stationed in the area.
There was no claim of responsibility, but the scene didn’t need one. All knew it was a ghastly warning to residents who choose to challenge al-Qaida in Iraq, which takes inspiration from Osama bin Laden but whose direct links to his terror network is unclear.
“They weren’t wearing masks on missions, so al-Qaida recognized who they were. They were my friends—we were always the three of us, like brothers,” Abed told The Associated Press in an interview this week, choking back tears.
He would not give his real name out of fear for his safety, and would not comment on his past insurgent activity. His codename—Omam Abed—means “courageous slave” in Arabic.
Since the murders, Abed wears a mask or scarf to conceal his identity when he accompanies U.S. and Iraqi soldiers on raids. These are the same palm-shaded streets with wide green lawns where he played as a boy. His father was a prominent businessman who owned a textile factory here before fleeing to Syria in 2003. Almost everyone knows Abed and his family.
“I want to stay and help my neighborhood, and the future of my country, but sometimes I’m scared I’ll also be targeted,” he said.
The Amariyah beheadings—and waves of other attacks—suggest a mounting al-Qaida campaign of reprisals against fellow Sunnis who challenge group’s footholds in Iraq.
On Saturday, militants bombed the northern Baghdad home of a moderate and highly regarded Sunni cleric, Sheik Wathiq al-Obeidi, who had recently spoken against al-Qaida. He was seriously wounded and three relatives were killed.
The same day, police said a local tribal leader in Albu Khalifa, a village west of Baghdad, was killed by gunmen who stormed his home. Sheik Fawaq Sadda’ al-Khalifawi had recently joined an anti-al-Qaida alliance in Iraq’s western Anbar province.
The U.S. military credits these relationships with weakening al-Qaida in its former strongholds in Baghdad, Anbar and Diyala province north of the capital. In Diyala, about 16,000 U.S. and Iraqi troops began a military push this week against Sunni insurgents who have fled a crackdown in the provincial capital of Baqouba, the military said Tuesday.
In Abed’s Amariyah neighborhood, attacks on U.S. and Iraqi soldiers and civilians dropped from 40 in the last week of May to just six incidents in the first week of August, according to U.S. military figures.
But in most cases, the U.S. military is unable to offer protection to its unexpected allies.
Abed wears a beige bulletproof vest with “Allah Akbar”—`God is great,’ in Arabic—written in permanent marker across the front. He bought it on the black market with his own money. He does not earn a salary for working with U.S. forces, and the military does not provide him with weapons, equipment or safe haven.
Several times each week, mortars fall on the headquarters of Abed’s group—known by various names including the Freedom Fighters and Amariyah Volunteers. The group’s leader, a 40-year-old who uses the nom-de-guerre Abu Abed, said his fighters foiled two attacks in which suicide bombers disguised as women tried to infiltrate security around his base.
“(Al-Qaida) is trying to get me or my family. I’m constantly changing locations—not staying in one place longer than a few hours—and moving my children,” said Abu Abed, who also refused to comment on his own insurgent past.
American military officials acknowledge that Abed’s group is in danger because of its cooperation with U.S. forces. But—as former insurgents—the fighters are not eligible for services provided to civilians or legitimate Iraqi security forces.
“It’s just not something we can do,” said Lt. Col. Dale Kuehl, commander of the 1st Cavalry Division’s 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment.
At least two members of the group were former allies of al-Qaida, said Kuehl, 41, from Huntsville, Ala. Others, he said, were part of the Islamic Army in Iraq, the 1920s Revolution Brigades and Tawhid and Jihad—all Sunni insurgent groups responsible for past attacks on U.S. troops in Iraq.
The U.S. military offers humanitarian aid, but the fighters are denied access to U.S. bases and military hospitals. American medics, however, have treated them on the battlefield.
Kuehl is awaiting approval from his commanders for a 90-day security contract under which the fighters would be paid to man checkpoints and conduct regular patrols through Amariyah. The salaries would be commensurate with the Iraqi police, about $300 a month.
Until the contract wins U.S. approval, the fighters remain unpaid volunteers.
Capt. Dustin Mitchell, with the 1st Infantry Division’s 2nd Brigade Reconnaissance Troop, said it sometimes creates awkward moments for his soldiers.
“We try to help them out within the guidelines if our commanders approve it,” said the Louisville, Ky., native. “If not, we’re the guys who look them in the eye and have to say, `I’m sorry.’”
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[…] The People Of Iraq Vs. Al Qaeda […]
August 14th, 2007 at 11:26 amLet me see if I got this straight. What we have here is a fine young “Chu Hoi” scout and we can’t help this dude? Bullshit. Whatever happened to that fine American tradition of passing the hat? Fuck command. This is one of those times when the troops could do something for an ally on their own, if necessary before the 90-day contract idea kicks in…if ever….
August 14th, 2007 at 11:36 amSo what have we learned here? We know the 20 year old kid grew up in Amariah, son of the owner of a textile factory who fled to Syria in 03. We know his 2 best friends were recently murdered in spectacular fashion.
With that much information out on him, does he need more protection than a bandanna? You think?
August 14th, 2007 at 12:09 pmYeah this is some shit right here..He turns away from insurgency on his own, does this job at risk of losing his life and for no money..I think thats proof enough that he can be fully trusted, should be paid for his service and offered full protection..We could never have too many people like him, good job and hope things work out well.
August 14th, 2007 at 12:24 pmYou never know what kind of hat passing and against-the-regulations stuff is going on. But I for one sure as hell wouldn’t have it reported in an article.
August 14th, 2007 at 12:28 pmInteresting article because of the obvious parallel to what’s happening here. Some democrats are now throwing their support behind the U.S. led security forces. These democrats are being attacked by the most extreme anti-U.S. elements trying to drive the U.S. out of Iraq. Just as it is obvious the 1920’s Brigade cannot now be provided protection by Iraq’s liberators, I hope we learn here that those who would have surrendered Iraq’s liberation to gain support from domestic anti-U.S. extremists cannot be trusted with U.S. national security. Please never forget exactly who our domestic enemies and traitors are and were during this war. They may, belatedly and after it became apparent they were losing, now support the liberation and fight against terror, but we must never forget who they are. We have elected representatives that wanted Iraq to fail and us to lose. They wanted it so bad, they pandered to our extreme anti-U.S. domestic enemies. They provided the domestic political cover for groups like the 1920’s Brigade to continue the fight. They’ll have to run for reelection. Don’t let them win. Remind yourself, over and over, that any politician who ever once voted for bills designed to undermine the liberation of Iraq did so not because it was in the best interests of the U.S., but because they viewed their actions, like the 1920’s Brigade members, as the best way to secure power for themselves. Only now, when they see that their efforts required an alliance with pure evil, and got them nowhere, do they now allign themselves with the liberators. Finally, God Bless our soldiers. Every day I am amazed, heartened, and thankful that our country produces the best men and women in the history of the world; our troops.
August 14th, 2007 at 12:38 pmWith the turning of the tide now on going in Iraq and with this example of the willingness of the population to fight these monsters how can we truly consider leaving? This young man is one of many who know who the real enemy is now, this is the generation learning of the need to fight oppression for their freedom. If we abandon them now we may never come to live in peace with each other, why would they trust us again? To ‘redeploy’ before we are sure of the security of Iraq would leave this brave man and his peers to the butchering of a.q.
August 14th, 2007 at 12:40 pmThe blood of our troops are in the soil over there. We have to hold honor with our fallen by letting them complete the mission.
BMF
August 14th, 2007 at 8:57 pmLet’s make sure we all understand what goes on here in this great cat box called Iraq as I see and hear it every day.
August 14th, 2007 at 9:37 pmThere is NO civil war in Iraq. Period. There IS a war between the radical Sunni (AQI) and the radical Shia (JAM, Hezbolla, Al-Quds, Bader, etc.) The Iraqi people are caught in the middle. These are the very same Iraqi people that want the same things we want - a job, roof over their head and an education for their kids. I work with these guys every day. Many live next to AQI or JAM bomb makers and have their lives threatened for even looking into the yard next door. However, a stange and wonderful thing has happened… The mil is out on the street, howlin and prowlin and they are VISIBLE to the average Iraqi. This provides them with a sense of security. As such the quantity and quality of actionable intel has gone through the roof. As usual the MSM refuses to provide the facts on the huge weapons caches found, the high number of HVTs that have been captured, etc. since the surge began. It is no wonder that the younger insurgents are “turning” as they see a future in this country. The older hardliners will either die or move off to east Africa as they are a hopeless case. However, since these guys seek paradise our job is to provide them with a one way ticket as quickly as possible. Never for get that we have boots on the ground in 35 different countries around the world fighting these pricks so you don’t have to.
Baghdad Aviator, sounds good.
August 15th, 2007 at 1:47 amdefinitely a BAMF.
August 15th, 2007 at 10:24 pmBA;
Agree about the civil war; there are feuds and power grabs, but those are “little” special interest groups trying for the big brass ring or trying to wipe out those danged McCoys.
It’s gonna get real innerestin’ when it comes time to make JAM the #1 focus.
August 16th, 2007 at 2:39 am