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The Enemy of my Enemy is my Friend… The Dynamics of Self Defense Forces in Irregular War: The Case of the Sons of Iraq

Clayton, Govinda, Thomson, Andrew (2014) The Enemy of my Enemy is my Friend… The Dynamics of Self Defense Forces in Irregular War: The Case of the Sons of Iraq. Studies in Conflict and Terrorism, 37 (11). pp. 920-935. (doi:10.1080/1057610X.2014.952262) (KAR id:41696)

Abstract

This paper assesses the effect that leveraging civilian defense force militias has on the dynamics of violence in civil war. We argue that the delegation of security and combat roles to local civilians shifts the primary targets of insurgent violence towards civilians, in an attempt to deter future defections, and re-establish control over the local population. This argument is assessed through an analysis of the Sunni Awakening and ancillary Sons of Iraq paramilitary program. The results suggest that at least in the Al-Anbar province of Iraq, the utilisation of the civilian population in counterinsurgent roles had significant implications for the targets of insurgent violence.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1080/1057610X.2014.952262
Uncontrolled keywords: Pro-Government Militias, Civilian Defense Force, Violence against Civilians, Civil War, Iraq, Counter-Insurgency, Sunni Awakening. Sons of Iraq
Subjects: J Political Science
J Political Science > JZ International relations
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Politics and International Relations
Depositing User: G.D. Clayton
Date Deposited: 04 Jul 2014 15:19 UTC
Last Modified: 09 Dec 2022 03:58 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/41696 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Clayton, Govinda.

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