Even the terrorists are tired of the terrorists

The London Times reports that some members of Al Qaeda in Iraq are talking to American troops and giving information about AQI. Partly they are disgusted by the atrocities that have been committed against civilians and partly they have more confidence that the Americans are winning.

The sewage-filled streets of Doura, a Sunni Arab enclave in south Baghdad, provide an ugly setting for what US commanders say is al-Qaeda’s last stronghold in the city. The secretive group, however, appears to be losing its grip as a “surge” of US troops in the neighbourhood – part of the latest effort by President Bush to end the chaos in Iraq – has resulted in scores of fighters being killed, captured or forced to flee.

“Al-Qaeda’s days are numbered and right now he is scrambling,” said Lieutenant-Colonel Stephen Michael, who commands a battalion of 700 troops in Doura.

A key factor is that local people and members of al-Qaeda itself have become sickened by the violence and are starting to rebel, Lieutenant-Colonel Michael said. “The people have got to deny them sanctuary and that is exactly what is happening.”

Al-Qaeda informants comprise largely members of the Doura network who found themselves either working with the group after the US-led invasion in March 2003, or signed up to earn extra cash because there were no other jobs going. Disgusted at the attacks and intimidation techniques used on friends, neighbours and even relatives, they are now increasingly looking for a way out, US officers say.

“It is only after al-Qaeda has become truly barbaric and done things like, to teach lessons to people, cut their face off with piano wire in front of their family and then murdered everybody except one child who told the tale afterwards . . . that people realise how much of a mess they are in,” Lieutenant James Danly, 31, who works on military intelligence in Doura, said.

And note that an element that was necessary for this to happen was for the surge of American and coalition troops to be there in the area to stay.

The increased presence of US forces in Doura, however, is encouraging insiders to overcome their fear and divulge what they know. Convoys of US soldiers are working the rubble-strewn streets day and night, knocking on doors, speaking to locals and following up leads on possible insurgent hideouts.

Of course, those who deny that Iraq is part of the fight against Al Qaeda or that the surge is achieving anything, will discount stories like these. The rest of us realize that this is exactly what we have been hoping would happen if we adopted General Petraeus's plan for counterinsurgency. And we can picture how stories like this will end if the Americans start an early pull out like the antiwar activists and their allies in the Democratic party are trying to make us.

(Link via Captain's Quarters)