Posted on 08/14/2007 4:22:38 PM PDT by humint
The most powerful authority in Basra is not the British garrison where more than 5,000 British troops have withdrawn behind barbed wire and cement blocks. It is the Iranian consulate where major decisions regarding the city are taken. And it is not difficult to see who is in control of the city’s thoroughfares and residential quarters. The roundabouts, major squares and even some small streets and neighborhoods are decorated with portraits of Iranian religious and political leaders.
Basra is perhaps Iraq’s most important province from which most of the country’s oil production and exports originate. Within Basra’s provincial borders, the country’s most prolific oil fields are to be found. When bombs fall on the British garrison in the city or a British armored vehicle is knocked out, many of Basra residents celebrate with gunfire and shouts of joy.
The Brits have left a huge power vacuum in southern Iraq in the aftermath of their miscalculated adventure. Their influence does not exceed the few square miles of their only base in Basra. And the militias have rushed to fill in the vacuum, spreading their control over key establishments including oil installations and dividing the city into separate zones of influence.
The country’s three most influential Shiite factions have their own heavily armed militias. Though in bitter rivalry, they are almost unanimous in their tactics to inflict a humiliating defeat on Britain by forcing it to withdraw its troops. Many of Basra intellectuals and members of its once thriving religious minorities – such as Christians and Mandeans – have fled the city. The militias have their own rules and systems of governing which they impose on their subjects and areas. Hameed Hussain who fled the city recently says the Iraqi police and army are not in control of the city. “Practically, the militias have the city under their sway.”
An oil engineer, Ali Hatroush, who also fled the city in the past few weeks, says the British troops no longer have the power or capacity to “to rein in the militias.”
“The fundamentalists are the ones who run the city. They have devised their own means and ways of how to control the people and the resources and liquidate those opposing them,” he said.
Abdulkareem Saleh, who used to work at Basra port, said he was sad to see how young people were lured to join the political factions advocating militancy. “The factions rely on religious slogans and high-ranking clergy to deceive the population. It is really disappointing to see how young Iraqis are being coaxed to join their murderous militias,” he said.
The rival factions are represented in the government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Nonetheless they are the ones undermining official authority. For example, the Fadhila party which controls the administrations has 15 deputies in the parliament but has refused to disband its militias. Other groups like the Sadr bloc has 30 deputies and seven ministers in the cabinet but has strongly rejected calls to disarm its powerful military wing, the Mahdi Army. The other influential group the Supreme Council, a major partner in Maliki’s coalition government, is reported to have one the most heavily armed militias in the country.
ping
That looks like a real fair and balanced site there.
U.N. to talk to Iraqi armed groups
The United Nations intends to include all parties and factions in the talks it is going to hold to bring about national reconciliation in the country, Iraq U.N. spokesman said.... more 14/08/2007
Basra falls to unruly militias as British troops’ role recedes
The most powerful authority in Basra is not the British garrison where more than 5,000 British troops have withdrawn behind barbed wire and cement blocks. It is the Iranian consulate where major decisions regarding the city are taken.... more 13/08/2007
Saboteurs mount more attacks against national grid
The country’s power generating systems have come under fresh attacks putting more stations and units out of order.... more 13/08/2007
Security officers arrested for carrying explosive belts
Two security officers have been arrested in the religious city of Karbala as they were trying to smuggle into the city explosive belts to target holy shrines, Karbala governor said.... more 11/08/2007
What can U.N. do in wake of U.S. and British disasters in Iraq?
The U.S. and Britain are circulating a new draft resolution to United Nations Security Council members proposing a bigger role for the U.N. in the country.... more 09/08/2007
Gunmen in total control of major Baghdad district
The district of Doura in Baghdad is under the control of gunmen who have imposed their system of government based on strict interpretation of Islamic jurisdiction or Sharia.... more 09/08/2007
Electricity output meets only half of domestic needs
The Ministry of Electricity has finally acknowledged its inability to meet the country’s needs, blaming the current chronic shortages on lack of fuel.... more 07/08/2007
Maliki under fire from all sides
The ship of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s government is sailing in rough seas and could sink any time.... more 06/08/2007
Fears at home drive Iraqi investors to flee to Turkey
Turkey is the new haven for Iraqi investors who are fleeing the country in droves due to worsening security conditions.... more 04/08/2007
Former intelligence officers urged to meet
Intelligence and security personnel who served under former leader Saddam Hussein have the right to attend a conference to discuss their problems, a senior official said.... more 03/08/2007
Bush and Ahmadinejad turn Iraq into score-settling arena
For the second time the administration of U.S. President George Bush and that of the Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad turn the land of Iraq as a venue for their meetings.... more 03/08/2007
Iraqis resort to talismans to guard against stray pullets
Like their ancient ancestors of Mesopotamia, many Iraqis today wear amulets of beads and other objects for good luck and protection from stray bullets, kidnapping and car-bombings.... more 02/08/2007
Iraq football victors are afraid to return home
Members of the national football team who clinched their Asian cup victory on Sunday are hesitant to return home and join their fans to celebrate their victory.... more 01/08/2007
Security chief says Iranians active in Iraq
An Iraqi cabinet minister says Iranians are involved in violence in the country by helping insurgents obtain better weapons and training.... more 30/07/2007
1.4 million tons of wheat shipped to state silos
Iraqi grain growers have shipped nearly 1.4 million tons of wheat and barley to state silos this year, the Ministry of Agriculture said.... more 29/07/2007
U.S. erects more walls to isolate Baghdad quarters
U.S. troops have isolated certain quarters in the neighborhood of Dora with concrete slabs, blocking the passage of vehicles.... more 28/07/2007
Iran foils parliamentary meeting as government on brink of collapse
An important meeting bringing together leaders of parliamentary blocs to address the current political crisis and find ways to halt security deterioration has failed to materialize.... more 26/07/2007
Kurds fall out on draft oil law
The two main Kurdish factions ruling northern Iraq are on collision course regarding the way to approach the controversial oil draft law.... more 25/07/2007
Government urged to help refugees abroad
The Iraqi parliament has passed a resolution demanding the government honor pledges to countries hosting Iraqi refugees.... more 23/07/2007
Campaign to liquidate 3,000 Baathists in southern Iraq
Militias belonging to Shiite religious factions in southern Iraq have embarked on a murderous campaign to liquidate 3,000 members of the Baath party of former leader Saddam Hussein.... more 23/07/2007
Power outage plunges half of Baghdad into total darkness
The Karkh side of Baghdad where nearly half of the city’s six million people live has been without electricity for more than 10 days.... more 22/07/2007
PM Maliki bears responsibility for the American blood shed in Iraq
Most Iraqis are surprised to see how the Americans – of course excluding President Bush and his aides – are united in their assessment that Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has hugely failed in implementing an Iraqi national plan that will reduce the cost which they are paying through the blood of their sons.... more 21/07/2007
Fuel crisis eases but worries of shortages remain
The two past days were the happiest for drivers in Baghdad. Waiting time at filling stations has been reduced to two hours instead of eight – thanks to tighter controls and better security measures.... more 21/07/2007
Former PM says his life is under threat
Former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi said there were serious plots to have him assassinated in Baghdad.... more 19/07/2007
Kurds to deploy militias in Kirkuk
The Kurdish regional government is to station thousands of its militiamen on the outskirts of the oil-rich city of Kirkuk, according to region’s deputy prime minister, Kusart Koran.... more 18/07/2007
Experts ask MPs not to approve draft oil law
More than 100 Iraqi experts and former oil officials have sent a letter to parliament asking legislators not to pass the new draft oil law in its current form.... more 18/07/2007
Hundreds of Saudi ‘suicide bombers’ languish in Iraqi jails
fHundreds of Saudi ‘suicide bombers’ languish in Iraqi jailsffff Azzaman, July 16, 2007 Hundreds of Saudis who sneaked into Iraq to carry out suicide bombing now languish in Iraqi jails, said Iraqi National Security Adviser Mufaq al-Rubaai. He said 160 of them have already been sentenced and the res... more 16/07/2007
Sadr comes to terms with Maliki
The row between Moqtada al-Sadr and Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has subsided, thanks to the country’s top Shiite Cleric Ali Sistanti.... more 16/07/2007
Antiquities Department to renovate synagogue holding Nahum’s tomb
The Antiquities Department has included an ancient synagogue where Biblical prophet Nahum is purportedly buried in its 2008 renovation plans.... more 15/07/2007
Power greedy Democrats battle victory-obsessed Republicans over Iraq
U.S. Democrats are gathering momentum to blame their adversaries, the Democrats, over the Iraq debacle. The former have come to the realization that victory is no longer possible while the latter, and particularly their boss in the White House, are proceeding with their folly that triumph is still within reach.... more 14/07/2007
Perfect example of what will happen to all of Iraq if we prematurely pull out.
But I guess that is what Murtha and his Left-Wing yahoos want - defeat at any cost.
You must be joking. The most strategic city/port in this war is falling [or has already fallen] to Iran. Iran's Oil Minister was just fired last Sunday, Iraq's deputy Oil Minister was kidnapped (Iranian style) today. There have been rampant reports of corruption and assassination in Basra. A crude oil deal was just signed between Iraq(Basra) and Iran(Abadan) Steven Vincent, an author I admired deeply was assassinated in Basra for reporting on Iran's ascendancy in Basra. He was murdered back in 05. He will not be forgotten. Either the Brits have been asleep at the wheel or things are going according to plan. Which do you think it is?
There are only a few excuses for letting Basra fall into Iranian hands... none of them bode well for Iraqis or Americans. No American should be so foolish as to overlook what is going on in Basra. Whoever controls Basra will own Baghdad in the long run. You are absolutely right. The Talebanization of a City/Provence is unacceptable. That is not what Americans or British or all coalition partners are bleeding and dieing for.
I really hate to see this crap, but it gives me a guilty pleasure in remembering how smug and cocky the British were back in 2003. “We walk among the people without armor vests while the Yanks have to hide inside forts and armored HumVees.” (Paraphrased quote. I’ll try to search for an example later.)
“We’re winning” (voice crack) “Stay the course!” (incongruous smile) “It’s for freedom!” (befuddled look)
Precisely! Hows this instead...?
“We’re winning” (broad smile without fear of death) “Stay the course!” (grits teeth with confidence) “It’s for freedom!” (waves a flag - picks up rifle - leads charge against militia thugs)
The new Iraqi oil law will be as pertinent to the future of freedom in the Middle East as control of Basra. Those are two realities worth dieing for. Why? Freedom in the Middle East is directly tied to American interests and American national security. There can be no retreat from that goal - unless this was just a deadly game in an over sized sandbox. Let me make it clear to all who reads this... This is no game. Freedom will prevail in the Middle East at all costs.
9/11 changed everything.
LLS
Tell me again what Iraq had to do with Saudi citizens flying planes into buildings in the U.S. 911? How did 911 change the conditions in Iraq that Cheny warned about in his AEI interview in 94?
Read the headlines of the rest of the articles, slick, and get back to me.
:) You are joking... Glad to hear it, slick. That's a good one.
Tell me again what Iraq had to do with Saudi citizens flying planes into buildings in the U.S. 911?
Ever heard of the jet parked at Salmon Pak?
The belief that diverse threats could be contained indefinitely was (and remains) the root cause of policy failure in the Middle East. The region is a house of cards glued together with our money. That's right, our service based economy depends on access to their fossil energy reserves. Before September 11, 2001 our foreign policy toward the region was only slightly better than colonialist. When Saddam invaded Kuwait a series of dominoes started to fall. At that time and place, Cheney (and others far more bright and experienced than he) misjudged our nation's ability to contain the greater Middle East. What I like about the film is that it shows what Cheney expected of Iraq was accurate. Don't get hung up on the politically volatile word quagmire. He wasn't wrong about how difficult it would be. He wasn't wrong about the trajectory of Iraq's ethnic architecture. He was trying to gauge the value/expense of doing what had to be done. At that time he believed it would be too costly. He was wrong. He (and others) chose to defer the cost and to their surprise and ours, it only got more expensive.
But U.S. officials and others have long suspected the camp trained terrorists.
"U.S. officials and others" have their own credibility "issues"
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.