Two Americans Are Killed as Fighting Flares Anew in Najaf

[bemildred]

Some new spin.
I assume these are the troops killed by snipers.

NAJAF, Iraq, Monday, Aug. 16 - Two American soldiers were killed here Sunday as renewed fighting flared between American troops and fighters loyal to Moktada al-Sadr, the rebellious Shiite cleric, barely a day after truce talks collapsed.

The soldiers were part of a force of Army and Marine units that pressed into the outer edge of Najaf's Old City and battled Mr. Sadr's rebels in the giant cemetery just north of the shrine of Imam Ali, a mosque revered by Shiite Muslims.
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Late on Sunday and early on Monday, dozens of explosions echoed as marines fired artillery shells into the cemetery from their base three miles north.

The fighting here worsened though the interim Iraqi government, which ended truce talks with Mr. Sadr's rebels on Saturday, said its army would take over the battling against him. The interim government has asked American forces to continue to hold Mr. Sadr's forces at bay until the Iraqi Army arrived, Army and Marine officers said.

NY Times

[acmavm]

1. So, have we just seen a preview of the new excuse? The interim

<snip>

The interim government has asked American forces to continue to hold Mr. Sadr's forces at bay until the Iraqi Army arrived, Army and Marine officers said.

<snip>

The interim government is going to need more that that if they expect to put down the 'insurgency'.

[bemildred]

2. I believe this is the excuse for not putting down the insurgency.

But I am always willing to learn.

[Geo55]

3. And.....the interim government ,

is still looking for the army.....stay tuned

[wtmusic]

4. The myth of "putting down" an insurgency of 11 million insurgents

Stoo-pid.