Sep 1st, 2008 · The U.S. military handed over Iraq's Anbar province to Iraqi government forces on Monday. The vast desert region west of Baghdad was long a hotbed of the insurgency and the deadliest place in the country for U.S. troops.
Jul 4th, 2008 · The U.S. military touts the relative security of Anbar — once one of the most restive areas in Iraq — after working with tribal sheiks to combat al-Qaida. But the rise of the sheiks has set off a new political conflict, and tensions still simmer beneath the surface. Last week, a bomber blew himself up at a sheiks council meeting, highlighting the problems of infiltration in the ranks.
Jul 1st, 2008 · Anbar is Iraq's largest province and was considered the most dangerous until a year ago. It's the 10th province to be handed back to the Iraqi government. Maj. Gen. John Kelly, the commander of Multinational Forces-West in Iraq, talks about the handover of security operations to Iraqi control.
Mar 20th, 2008 · Marine Maj. Gen. John Kelly, who commands forces in western Iraq, says al-Anbar province is still dangerous, but the improvements made in the last year have been startling. He says the area is now thriving with commerce.
Feb 29th, 2008 · Iraq's hard-won security gains are under threat, according to Sunni tribal leaders who led the so-called "awakening movement" against insurgents. Sheikhs from the volatile Anbar province say they see no reason to keep fighting al-Qaida in Iraq if their people are going to be denied political rewards and economic development.
Jan 11th, 2008 · Anbar province is one of the biggest successes in the U.S.-led war in Iraq: security is greatly improved and there's talk of the area being handed back to the Iraqis. The improvement has everything to do with a relationship with the people.
Nov 13th, 2007 · Sunni tribal leaders from Iraq's Anbar province, who have joined the fight against al-Qaida, are demanding greater recognition and support from the Shiite-dominated government in Baghdad.
Sep 25th, 2007 · U.S. officials trumpet the success of their alliance with Sunni tribes in Anbar as a model, but attempts at reconciliation in nearby Diyala province have been thwarted by insurgent attacks and an ethnic divide that does not exist in Anbar.