US backed Tribes in Anbar use brutal tactics against Insurgents

[jmc247]

A tribal coalition in western Iraq and allied with the United States is using harsh tactics in its battle against al-Qa'ida in Anbar province, including summary executions, and conscription, according to local sources. The Anbar Salvation Front, with the assistance of US and Iraqi forces, is closing the roads to Falluja, Slogger sources report.

The Anbar Salvation Front (referred to by Iraqi sources as the Abu Risha group, using the tribal name of the group’s principal leader, Abd al-Sattar Abu Risha), uses harsh measures against its captured enemies, Slogger sources report. The group does not hand over captured al-Qa'ida suspects to the Iraqi police or even to the US military. When a group has concluded that any captive works with the al-Qa'ida militias, the suspect is executed with a bullet to the head.

Residents of Falluja report finding bodies of people known to have worked with armed groups lying in the streets each morning, in an attempt to intimidate those who work with the armed groups of the area, including the al-Qa'ida-linked forces and the shadowy Jund Allah al-Mukhtaroun (Chosen Soldiers of God), which previously had made gains in the city.

The tribal leader has also declared a conscription system in the area. Every family in Falluja must send at least one of their sons to fight with his tribal forces, on the orders of Shaykh Abu Risha. Formed in Fall 2006, the Front represents a coalition of Sunni tribal leaders from Anbar province. It is aligned with US forces and the Iraqi government against al-Qa'ida in the Anbar area.

http://www.iraqslogger.com/index.php/post/2493

[TwilightGardener]

1. Sounds like they've got it covered. Why are we still there?

[theoldman]

2. With friends like this, who need enemies.

Reminds me of Afghanistan where the Taliban were actually the good guys.

[jmc247]

3. Michael Ware had a report on the Anbar Salvation Council

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=131_1175296092