The New York Times reports today that our loyal allies in Iraq have begun arresting leaders of the so-called “Great Awakening” movement. That’s the mostly Sunni movement made up of former allies of Al Qaida in Iraq who switched sides in late 2006 and early 2007 and who have been on the U.S. payroll ever since.

There may be as many as 100,000 former Sunni militants, including the so-called “Sons of Iraq,” who are part of the Awakening. Most of them have been paid about $300 a month to guard checkpoints, provide security and — most importantly — not bomb and shoot U.S. troops. The Times reports:

Although the “surge” is often described as the turning point that led to lower violence, a number of American officers contend the Awakening that began well before the surge in 2006 in Anbar Province and continued in Baghdad last year was the most significant reason for the decline. In some places, American casualties plunged within weeks of the Sunnis joining with American forces.

Now, with U.S. troop levels back to pre-surge levels, with Al Qaida having moved its operations to Afghanistan and a timetable for withdrawing U.S. troops in the works, the Shiite-dominated government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has given a clear picture of what’s ahead. The Sons of Iraq won’t be absorbed into Iraqi security forces, which will remain dominated by Shiites.

The government’s rising hostility toward the Awakening Councils amounts to a bet that its military, feeling increasingly strong, can provide security in former guerrilla strongholds without the support of these former Sunni fighters who once waged devastating attacks on United States and Iraqi targets. It also is occurring as Awakening members are eager to translate their influence and organization on the ground into political power.

But it is causing a rift with the American military, which contends that any significant diminution of the Awakening could result in renewed violence, jeopardizing the substantial security gains in the past year. United States commanders say that the practice, however unconventional, of paying the guerrillas has saved the lives of hundreds of American soldiers.

For all the lives and treasure the United States has poured into Iraq, we can’t overcome centuries of sectarian hatred and distrust. The Iraqis seem determined to have a civil war. So do we ask U.S. troops to try to stop it?

Photo caption: President Bush shakes hands with Sunni Sheikh Abdul-Sattar Abu Risha,  one of the founders of the Great Awakening. Ten days after this photo was taken in September 2007,  Abu Risha died in a bombing. AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)