BAGHDAD - The Shiite-dominated government in Iraq is driving out many leaders of Sunni citizen patrols, the groups of former insurgents who joined the U.S. payroll and have been a major pillar in the decline in violence around the nation.

In restive Diyala province, U.S. and Iraqi military officials say there were orders to arrest hundreds of members of what is known as the Awakening movement as part of large security operations by the Iraqi military. At least five senior members have been arrested there in recent weeks, leaders of the groups say.

West of Baghdad, former insurgent leaders contend that the Iraqi military is going after 650 Awakening members, many of whom have fled the once-violent area they had kept safe. While the crackdown appears to be focused on a relatively small number of leaders whom the Iraqi government considers the most dangerous, there are influential voices to dismantle the U.S.-backed movement entirely.

"The state cannot accept the Awakening," said Sheik Jalaladeen al-Sagheer, a leading Shiite member of Parliament. "Their days are numbered."

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 U.S. 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 U.S. military, which contends any significant diminution of the Awakening could result in renewed violence, jeopardizing the substantial security gains in the past year. U.S. commanders say that the practice, however unconventional, of paying the guerrillas has saved the lives of hundreds of U.S. soldiers.

"If it is not handled properly, we could have a security issue," said Brig. Gen. David Perkins, the senior military spokesman in Iraq. "You don't want to give anybody a reason to turn back to al-Qaida." Many Sunni insurgents had been allied with al-Qaida in Iraq and other extremist groups.

Get $150+ in coupons in every Sunday N&O. Click here for convenient home delivery.