Anbar Awakening

The Anbar Awakening was a movement that began in 2006 in Iraq's Anbar Province, where local Sunni tribes united to oppose al-Qaeda and insurgent violence. Frustrated by the group’s brutal tactics and the instability following the U.S. invasion of Iraq, these tribes collaborated with U.S. forces to combat al-Qaeda. This partnership significantly reduced violence in the area and marked a shift in the war dynamics. The Awakening highlighted the importance of local cooperation in counterinsurgency efforts and played a critical role in shaping U.S. military strategy and Iraqi politics during the war.