Guide Note

The Iraqi Awakening Council is comprised of local tribes who have pledged an alliance to fighting al Qaeda in various Iraqi provinces. There are 180 councils in Iraq.¹

Fast Facts

1. Also known as: Al-Sahwa (awakening) forces
2. Head: Sheikh Abdel Sittar Baziya
3. Made up of mostly Sunni Muslims¹
4. Now a force over over 80,000¹
5. Have become Al Qaeda suicide bombing targets
6. Fears that Shiite militias could build in response, leading to possible civil war¹
7. Allies of United States Military forces
8. Members paid $300 per month each by United States; U.S. budget for Awakening Council is $32 million¹
9. Plans to create 20,000 security services jobs for members of the Awakening Council¹
10. Separate force from the Iraqi Army
11. In November of 2007, the Taji Awakening Council claimed U.S. forces had killed 45 of its men²