"An American military official said tribes had fought Sunni insurgents in Anbar in the past but had never formed a united front. “This would be the first we’ve seen of tribes banding together,” said the official, who asked for anonymity because the subject was a delicate one."
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/18/world/middleeast/18iraq.html?pagewanted=2&ei=5087%0A&en=f63c0d6c8d89b9c9&ex=1158724800
Excellent news the tide is turning....but will take awhile to make a difference.