Yusufiyah , south of Baghdad , was among the most dangerous towns in Iraq . Local Sunnis tired of the destruction wrought by Al Qaeda in Iraq . They partnered with U.S. forces to keep their town safe . Iraq 's Shiite - dominated central government was wary of such partnerships .
Yusufiyah , south of Baghdad , was among the most dangerous places in Iraq . Local Sunnis tired of the destruction wrought by al Qaeda in Iraq . They partnered with U.S. forces to keep their town safe . Iraq 's Shiite-dominated central government remains wary of such partnerships .