Securing the Streets
By MARYAM ISHANI
Published: June 1st, 2009
- A Sahwat militiaman at a checkpoint point in the Adhamiye district of Baghdad describes his experience as a former insurgent turned neighborhood watchman.
- The Sahwat, also known as the Sunni Awakening Councils, are largely composed of former insurgents. When the Iraqi Sheiks who control these foot soldiers decided to shift their allegiances from the Sunni insurgency to the U.S. military, these men obeyed diligently.
- After successfully routing Al-Qaeda and other insurgent organizations from Anbar, the Sahwat and their Sheik leadership has moved on to fight for the streets of Baghdad and Baquba. The district of Adhamiye in Baghdad remains one of the frontlines in the struggle to recover Iraq.
- The changing of the guard at a checkpoint in front of Hanifa Mosque. It is one of the largest Sahwat checkpoints in Baghdad.
- While the Sahwat gunmen may appear to be a rag-tag group of gunmen in jeans and t-shirts, they are very effective in maintaining security in their neighborhoods.
- The Sahwat men are from the neighborhoods they are patrolling and are quick to identify familiar faces and cars. When they do not recognize people or vehicles they inspect them immediately and thoroughly.
- Because of their background as urban guerrillas, the Sahwat can deal quite brutally with people they suspect of being a threat. These guys rule the streets here in Adhamiye and for now they are the ones keeping them quiet.
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