The groups are made up of an estimated 90,000 Iraqis , often former insurgents , paid by U.S. commanders to help protect neighborhoods and provide intelligence on extremists . Pentagon 's quarterly report to Congress notes violence reduction . It also notes that jihadists loyal to al Qaeda in Iraq are still a threat . Comment:
Pentagon 's quarterly report to Congress notes violence reduction . It also notes that jihadists loyal to al Qaeda in Iraq are still a threat . Comment: