Q&A: Iraq's U.S.-allied Sunni Arab militias

(Reuters) - Below are some facts about the mostly Sunni Arab militias called "Awakening Councils" -- Majalis al-Sahwa in Arabic -- that helped the U.S. military drive al Qaeda from many of their former strongholds in Iraq.

WHO ARE THE SAHWA?

* The Sahwa movement started when a group of Sunni Arab tribal sheikhs in Anbar province in western Iraq rose up against al Qaeda in late 2006. They rallied thousands of supporters, many of whom were sick of the Sunni Islamist group's brutality, its targeting of civilians and harsh interpretation of Islam.

* The militias were quickly recruited and paid by the U.S. military, who were only too pleased to have allies in a battle against an insurgency they seemed to be losing.

* The Sahwas manned checkpoints, raided houses and helped turn known al Qaeda militants over to the authorities. The model of cooperation was rolled out across much of Iraq.

* At their peak, they numbered some 100,000, although thousands have since found other work and left the movement.

WHAT HAVE THEY ACHIEVED?

* Within 18 months of the Sahwa uprising in Anbar, al Qaeda in Iraq and allied insurgent groups went from de facto rulers of the vast desert province to fugitives on the run.

* U.S. officials say the Sahwas have helped drastically cut violence across Iraq, largely by manning checkpoints that have stopped bombers entering cities.