CTC Sentinel. Volume 1, Issue 11, October 2008. Field Notes on Iraq's Tribal Revolt Against Al-Qa'ida
Abstract
One of the most striking aspects of operations in Iraq during the "surge" of 2007 was the growing tribal uprising against al-Qa'ida. In late 2006 and 2007, this uprising began to transform the war. I spent considerable time on the ground throughout May and June 2007 in Baghdad and the surrounding districts working with U.S. and Iraqi units, tribal and community leaders and fighters engaged in the uprising. Listening to them talk, watching their operations and participating in planning and execution alongside American commanders supporting them provided insight into their motivations and thought processes. Moreover, during the process of participant observation I was able to gather some field data on the relationship between globally-oriented terrorists in Iraq (primarily al-Qa'ida and the locally-focused militants who found themselves fighting as "accidental" guerrillas in the early part of the war, only to turn against the terrorists in 2007.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA493783
Entities
People
- David J. Kilcullen
Organizations
- United States Military Academy