Time To Bailout The Sons Of Iraq?

CAMP ECHO, Iraq (June 16, 2008) - U.S. Soldiers, Iraqi army, Iraqi police, and Sons of Iraq (Abna al-Iraq) members come together to attend the Bayji security meeting in Bayji, Iraq, June 16, 2008. The meeting was held to discuss security and the beginning of reconciliation in the Bayji Area. Photo by Staff Sgt. Micky Bazaldua, Joint Combat Camera Center Iraq.

From DoD Buzz:

Meanwhile back in Iraq, this past weekend saw clashes between Iraqi security forces, U.S. troops and fighters belonging to the Sunni Awakening Council, or “Sons of Iraq,” in U.S. military parlance. Today come reports that the rebellious Sunni militia has been forcibly disarmed and disbanded, the first time that has been done with an Awakenings group, and it will not be allowed to reform.

The former Sunni insurgents turned paid security guards will be “offered an opportunity” to join Iraq’s security forces. Hard to say how genuine those job offers will be, coming from Maliki’s largely Shiite government that has proven reluctant to hire ex-Sunni insurgents. Lack of government jobs has been one of the Awakenings group’s major gripes.

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My Comment: If the U.S. does .... they will certainly be buying the loyalty of a lot of people .... for now.

Sons Of Iraq Made Iraq Safer. What's Their Mission Now?

BAGHDAD, Iraq (April 24, 2008) - Lt. Col. Mario Diaz, a native of Sierra Madre, Calif., talks to an Iraqi army soldier and a Sons of Iraq (Abna al Iraq) volunteer at a joint checkpoint in Nassir Wa Salam, west of Baghdad, April 24.

From The Christian Science Monitor:

The US military is trying to transition 103,000 Iraqi neighborhood guards into steady work.

Baghdad - In a month of patrolling Baghdad, US Army Capt. Ryan Williams has seen the best and the worst of the Sons of Iraq (SOI) – the community policing group instrumental in restoring calm here.

When a child went missing, SOI members identified and helped detain his kidnappers. But another SOI group also reportedly took over a gas station "for security reasons" and sold the fuel on the black market.

Other problems include infighting among SOI units, with the homegrown Iraqi lawmen giving US forces bogus tips about their rivals' supposed criminal activity. "We learned pretty quick that they were just trying to get us to fight their battles," says Captain Williams, a Newport Beach, Calif., native.

These issues indicate that the shelf life of SOI groups is finite. US and Iraqi officials are now figuring out what to do next with the 103,000 SOI members in Iraq. Many officials worry that if the SOI units are dissolved without transitioning members into steady employment, Baghdad's security will pay the price.

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More News On the Sons Of Iraq From the Danger Room: What to Do with the 'Sons of Iraq'

My Comment: The money that has been spent on these "security guards" has produced an excellent return (from first impressions). The next stage should be one in which a multiple of programs are offered to these men .... from being a member of the police force or military,
learning a trade, maintaining their present job .... anything to keep them off the streets.

Instapundit's idea of a G.I. Bill is also a good idea.