Sunni Awakening

The Sunni Awakening refers to a political and military movement in Iraq during the mid-2000s, when some Sunni Arab tribes and communities, previously opposed to the U.S. invasion and its aftermath, shifted their stance. They began actively collaborating with U.S. and Iraqi government forces to fight against extremist groups like Al-Qaeda in Iraq. This shift helped reduce violence and stabilize parts of Iraq, but also created complex political dynamics and highlighted the diverse motives within Sunni communities. The movement was significant in changing the course of the Iraqi conflict during that period.