Critical cease-fire in Iraq unravels as U.S. death toll mounts

[laststeamtrain]

Source: McClatchy Newspapers

Critical cease-fire in Iraq unravels as U.S. death toll mounts
Leila Fadel and Nancy A. Youssef | McClatchy Newspapers

last updated: March 24, 2008 08:44:41 PM

BAGHDAD — A cease-fire critical to the improved security situation in Iraq appeared to unravel Monday when a militia loyal to radical Shiite Muslim cleric Muqtada al Sadr began shutting down neighborhoods in west Baghdad and issuing demands of the central government.

Simultaneously, in the strategic southern port city of Basra, where Sadr's Mahdi militia is in control, the Iraqi government launched a crackdown in the face of warnings by Sadr's followers that they'll fight government forces if any Sadrists are detained. By 1 a.m. Arab satellite news channels reported clashes between the Mahdi Army and police in Basra.

The freeze on offensive activity by Sadr's Mahdi Army has been a major factor behind the recent drop in violence in Iraq, and there were fears that the confrontation that's erupted in Baghdad and Basra could end the lull in attacks, assassinations, kidnappings and bombings.

As the U.S. military recorded its 4,000th death in Iraq, U.S. officials in Baghdad warned again Monday that drawing down troops too quickly could collapse Iraq's fragile security situation.

Read more: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/homepage/story/31527.html

[PearliePoo2]

1. Yup, you knew this was going to happen

Look up in the dictionary......FUBAR.

:thumbsdown:
Bastards.
K&R

[Hissyspit]

2. .

[struggle4progress]

3. Surge, splurge, or dirge?

[bemildred]

4. Iraq forces battle Basra militias

Source: BBC

Heavy fighting has been raging in Basra as thousands of Iraqi troops battle Shia militias in the southern city.

At least 12 people have died in the operation, which is being overseen in Basra by Iraqi PM Nouri Maliki, a day after he vowed to "re-impose law".

British forces carried out air strikes to support embattled Iraqi army tanks and artillery on the ground.

Oil-rich Basra is in the grip of a bitter turf war between armed groups, including the Mehdi Army, say analysts.

Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7312078.stm

[acmavm]

5. Kut, Basra, the Green Zone? Wow, things sure are better over

there, aren't they Senator McCain?

:sarcasm:

[underpants]

6. alSadr either wants more money or is tired of hearing about how the surge is working

'Strike the occupiers'
With tensions rising, al-Sadr's headquarters in Najaf ordered field commanders with his Mahdi Army militia to go on high alert and prepare "to strike the occupiers" and their Iraqi allies, a militia officer said

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23788065

[housewolf]

7. Is 'success' of U.S. surge in Iraq about to unravel?

Source: McClatchy Newspapers

BAGHDAD — A cease-fire critical to the improved security situation in Iraq appeared to unravel Monday when a militia loyal to radical Shiite Muslim cleric Muqtada al Sadr began shutting down neighborhoods in west Baghdad and issuing demands of the central government.

Simultaneously, in the strategic southern port city of Basra, where Sadr's Mahdi militia is in control, the Iraqi government launched a crackdown in the face of warnings by Sadr's followers that they'll fight government forces if any Sadrists are detained. By 1 a.m. Arab satellite news channels reported clashes between the Mahdi Army and police in Basra.

The freeze on offensive activity by Sadr's Mahdi Army has been a major factor behind the recent drop in violence in Iraq, and there were fears that the confrontation that's erupted in Baghdad and Basra could end the lull in attacks, assassinations, kidnappings and bombings.

more...



Read more: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/homepage/story/31527.html

[paparush]

8. Yep. and Cheney will Blame Iran and then...

serious shit hitting fan time.

[greenman3610]

9. Pay attention. Mcclatchey is what used to be Knight Ridder- best war reporting

in the leadup to war.

[tom_paine]

10. The success was never there. We just paid the people who were shooting us $300/month

to stop for a short time.

Looks like we ran out of money or they got tired of taking it anymore.

[WCGreen]

12. With the dollar dropping on the world market....

They want 400 bucks now...

[Laughing Mirror]

13. They want those bribes paid in Euros

What's good ole Uncle Sam with his worthless greenbacks to do?

[Kokonoe]

14. Dubya hates unions

It looks like there will be a strike.

[happygoluckytoyou]

11. THOT IT WAS ALL DUE TO THE SURGE IN BIG DICKS PANTS

[Ganja Ninja]

15. Get ready for childish republican retort.

"You liberals wanted this to happen! I hope you're happy."

[Speciesamused]

16. It is happening right now. The locals that have been

acting as security are quitting because
they have not been paid for months some
Iraqi,s are owed up to $24,000.00. They
lied to these people too. What a country
we have become. :hide:

[immoderate]

17. Whatever. They'll use it as an excuse to escalate and prolong the occupation.

It's like tax cuts. If the economy is good...tax cuts. If the economy slows down...tax cuts. There is no situation where tax cuts are not indicated. It's the same for their war.

--IMM