Iraq's Al-Anbar sit-in is a red line

Head of Iraqi Awakening Forces Council (Sons of Iraq), Wesam al-Hardan confirmed on Monday that Al-Anbar sit-in is a "red line" stressing that the council has to "seek revenge" from al-Qaeda. In an interview with Arab Today, Al-Hardan said: “The Awakening elements are present in villages, remote towns and cities to protect them from al-Qaeda. The Awakening forces have proven their presence in previous phases.” “We will not stop our work; we have blood and revenge with al-Qaeda,” he added. The official further pointed out that the Al-Anbar sit-in is a red line, vowing to protect it. Iraq's Awakening Councils, drawn from the country's Sunni Muslims, have been seen as a key factor in reducing violence across the country since 2006. Al-Hardan said that the Awakening Council started including Iraqi Shiites to form strong forces that protect Iraq’s borders. He also stressed that the Council will stay away from any political struggle to be neutral.