Iraq's Anbar province growing tense

FALLUJAH, Iraq, July 15 (UPI) -- The western Iraqi province of Anbar has experienced a resurgence of al-Qaida activity as dual suicide attacks rocked eastern Diyala province Tuesday.

Anbar experienced a wake of calm following several U.S.-led raids on major cities in the western province. The emergence of the Sunni paramilitary group Sons of Iraq as a fighting force against al-Qaida made Anbar one of the success stories of Iraq.

The Sons of Iraq formed from a tribal movement referred to as the Anbar Awakening.

A spate of suicide bombings in recent weeks, however, accompanied by the assassinations of several tribal elders of the Awakening movement, suggests Anbar once again is becoming a focal point for al-Qaida activity, the Iraqi daily Azzaman said Tuesday.

U.S. military officials incorporated the Sons of Iraq into their broader counterinsurgency campaign, but al-Qaida has begun targeting members of the force as collaborators with the U.S. "occupiers."

Furthermore, the Awakening group is growing frustrated with the U.S. and Iraqi governments over their failure to deliver on promises regarding basic living conditions and security.

The rise in activity prompted Iraqi officials to impose an indefinite curfew on many of the major cities in Anbar, including Fallujah and Haditha. Iraqi troops barred vehicles from traveling in the city and military officials describe the situation there as "tense."

The Anbar activity follows reports U.S. and Iraqi troops are preparing for major military operations in Diyala province as dual suicide bombers Tuesday killed at least 20 people at a military recruiting station.