BAQUBA, Iraq, Oct. 17 (UPI) -- A growing number of disenchanted Iraqi Sunni Muslims are leaving government jobs to return to the ranks of al-Qaida terrorists, officials said.
Officials told The New York Times Sunday they noticed the shift in attitude and allegiance after March's inconclusive elections, which Sunni Muslims viewed as eroding their minority status further to the Shiite-dominated government.
The United States established regional Awakening Councils for Sunnis to participate in and rebuild their communities for a salary. However, Nathum al-Jubouri, who recently quit as an Awakening Council leader in Salahuddin Province, told the Times there was a deadly incentive to leave the groups.
"At this point, Awakening members have two options: Stay with the government, which would be a threat to their lives, or help al-Qaida by being a double agent," he said.
Lt. Gen. Tariq al-Assawi, commander of security in Diyala province, said Awakening members are increasingly less reliable.
"They are not warning us about car bombs that go off in places they are responsible for securing," he said. "A lot of them are definitely helping the insurgents."
In July, U.S. officials estimated there were 94,000 Sunnis in Awakening groups.
