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Why did Sunni tribes turn against al-Qaeda in Iraq in 2007?
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Iraq War
U.S. soldiers in Sāmarrāʾ, Iraq.
In 2007, Sunni tribes in western Iraq began turning against al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI)—which had rebranded as the Islamic State of Iraq—due to several key factors:
- Brutal Treatment: The group’s harsh and violent treatment of the local populace in areas under its control alienated many Sunnis who had previously participated in the insurgency.12
- Disruption of Power: The organization attempted to replace established local tribal power structures with its own authority, which was largely composed of foreign fighters.2
- Counterinsurgency Strategy: A new U.S.-led counterinsurgency strategy incentivized tribal leaders by providing payments and support to form militias, known as "Awakening Councils," to expel the group from their territories.12
- Leadership Losses: The group was further weakened by the successful targeting and killing of several of its senior leaders by U.S. and Iraqi forces.12
These combined efforts significantly diminished the organization's power during that period.12