Anbar transfer premature?

RAMADI, Iraq, Sept. 15 (UPI) -- The transfer of security responsibility from U.S. to Iraqi forces in western Anbar province may have been premature, U.S. military officials said Monday.

U.S. officials handed authority of Anbar province over to the Iraqis Sept. 1, putting the Sunni paramilitary force Sons of Iraq effectively under Baghdad's control. In an interview with the Washington-based conservative weekly Human Events, Marine officials say the transfer happened too soon.

"My biggest concern is the Iraq government is now taking a very hard line against the Sunni 'Awakening' and the Sons of Iraq," said a Marine officer who spoke on condition of anonymity. "The problem here is, the harder line they take will push the Sunnis back into the insurgency."

The Sons of Iraq grew out of the Anbar Awakening in 2006, which saw Sunni tribal elders encouraging a strong stance against al-Qaida operatives in the area. The U.S. military had employed the paramilitary force as a backstop for Iraqi military operations and to man security checkpoints.

The Marine officer noted that Baghdad needs to keep funding the force or risk fighters returning to the insurgency for financial support.

U.S. officials in Baghdad disagreed, however, saying a transfer of authority does not equate to a redeployment of troops.

"First and foremost we are not just packing up and leaving Anbar," said one senior officer. "We are still there and will be for a while."