As an alliance of Sunni Arab tribes, the Awakening Council plays a key role in Iraq's security turnaround by standing up against the al-Qaida network.

The alliance intends to flex its muscles in the provincial elections as an up-and-coming political force.

In the Sunni-populated Anbar province, the Awakening Council, which controls the police and the IIP sitting on the provincial council, has been exchanging accusations and threatening in a struggle for power.

The Awakening Council involves local armed groups, especially some powerful anti-U.S. Sunni insurgent groups, who fight the al-Qaida network after the latter committed indiscriminate killings against both Shiite and Sunni Muslim communities.

The Iraqi government acknowledges the Awakening Council's contribution to the security improvement around Iraq in recent months, but remains concerned that the groups could grow into new militia in the future.

(Xinhua News Agency July 20, 2008)