Photo (left) was taken by Michael Totten in Iraq; who on March 10, 2008, spoke with the tribes of Al Anbar... To learn their opinion of the Iraqi police. Totten: Amariyah Vegetable stand
Michael receives positive answers; including this, at a Market...
In the Villages of Al Anbar
"We are all from the same tribe." the Market Keeper said...
Totten: "This is important. Iraqis identify with family, tribe, sect, and nation – in that order... Racial differences between Arabs and Kurds preceded sectarian differences under the regime of Saddam Hussein; but this appears to have cooled somewhat lately. Racist Arab Nationalism in Iraq is not what it was." More.
Although this news was in the days preceeding...
These tribes should always guard their region from harm, stay connected & prosperous; and don't sell out, and become slaves! Because, everyone knows that the best revenge, is living well, and living independently! :)
Hand-over Ceremony...
"This achievement is a credit to the courage of our troops, the Iraqi security forces, and the brave tribes and other civilians from Anbar who worked alongside them."
An Iraq Veteran has a personal message for Barak Obama! VIEW VIDEO.
Lt. Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III, the No. 2 U.S. commander in Iraq, alluded to the power conflict, expressing hope that al-Qaida would not exploit political rivalries to attempt a comeback...More.
"We know that while al-Qaida may be in disarray, it is not yet completely defeated," Austin said during the ceremony. "And our common enemy is both patient and resilient. But I know the people of Anbar province will not allow al-Qaida the opportunity to destabilize the security progress that has been made here."
Note: Anbar became the 11th province to revert to Iraqi security control, but it is the most significant because it borders Baghdad...
