Ali al-Fadhily and Dahr Jamail, Inter Press Service, January 14:
For months now the U.S. military has been actively building what it calls ‘Awakening’ forces and “concerned local citizens” in an effort to reduce attacks on occupation forces.
Members of the forces, which comprise primarily former resistance fighters and tribal groups, are paid 300 dollars monthly. There are at present about 80,000 recruits to these groups. The U.S. military plans to cap the number at 85,000.
Awakening’ forces have been widely criticised for corruption and for brutal tactics. Many speak of them as “gangs”, “criminals”, “dogs of the Americans”, and “thieves.” But the Bush administration, and many media outlets in the west, credit the ‘Awakening’ forces with bringing stability to volatile areas.