Fallujah opens Awakening headquarters

FALLUJAH, Iraq, March 10 (UPI) -- Councilmen in Fallujah voiced their approval for the establishment of five offices for the Awakening movement in the predominately Sunni city.

The approval came following a request from the head of the Awakening movement, Ahmed Abu Risa, Voices of Iraq reported Monday.

The chief of the Fallujah council, Hamid al-Ulwani, said the establishment of the council headquarters was a positive move that would contribute to security in Anbar province.

"The opening of headquarters for the movement on Monday would immensely contribute to pushing forward the political process and help impose security and order in all the cities of Anbar province," Ulwani said.

Awakening, or Sahwa, councils operate in several Iraqi provinces including Anbar, Diyala, Ninawa and Salah al-Din.

The brother of Abu Risa, Abdul Sattar Abu Risha, established the Awakening Councils to drive al-Qaida operatives out of Anbar province. Abu Risha was assassinated Sept. 13, and Abu Risa was quickly nominated as the chief of the councils.

The security force Sons of Iraq operates in coordination with the Awakening movement.