U.S. and Iraqis Battle Militias to End Attacks ( On the Green Zone)

New York Times ^ | April 7, 2008 | ERICA GOODE and MICHAEL R. GORDON

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

BAGHDAD — Sharp fighting broke out in the Sadr City district of Baghdad on Sunday as American and Iraqi troops sought to control neighborhoods used by Shiite militias to fire rockets and mortars into the nearby Green Zone.

But the operation failed to stop the attacks on the heavily fortified zone, headquarters for Iraq’s central government and the American Embassy here. By day’s end, at least two American soldiers had been killed and 17 wounded in the zone, one of the worst daily tolls for the American military in the most heavily protected part of Baghdad. Altogether, at least three American soldiers were killed and 31 wounded in attacks in Baghdad on Sunday, and at least 20 Iraqis were killed, mostly in Sadr City.

The heightened violence came on the eve of Congressional testimony in Washington by Gen. David H. Petraeus, the senior American commander in Iraq, and Ryan C. Crocker, the American ambassador here, to defend their strategy for political reconciliation and improved security in the country.

The Green Zone attacks were, symbolically at least, a sign that forces hostile to the United States are still able to strike at the American nerve center and seat of government power in the capital of Iraq.

The attacks were sure to feature prominently in the scheduled hearings, giving ammunition to Democratic critics who argue that Iraq is not making progress, as well as Republicans who say it would be foolish to reduce the American troop presence in Iraq quickly.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

fyi

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

From the Washington Post:

Between Iraqi Shiites, a Deepening Animosity

*************************EXCERPT*******************

Basra Offensive Inflamed Long-Standing Rivalry, Redefining Nature of Conflict

[Iron Munro]

Freedom and Democracy are incompatible with Islam.

Pretending they are and throwing two or three trillion dollars away on a forced union cannot change reality.

[WesternPacific]

The heightened violence came on the eve of Congressional testimony in Washington by Gen. David H. Petraeus

Seems as though the terrorist may be getting their orders from the Democrats. Be sure to escalate the attacks before the hearings.

[Red Steel]

Has Mookie yet “surrendered” again?

[amom]

.

[SunkenCiv]

at least three American soldiers were killed and 31 wounded in attacks in Baghdad on Sunday, and at least 20 Iraqis were killed

spin city. Thanks Ernest.

[kennyboy509]

The same thing was said about the Japanese, come on lets follow this thing thru!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Then you can make your declaritive statement.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

This is really the battle against Iran’s proxy ( like hezbollah in Lebanon.)..Iran wants to grab the southern oil fields.,...

[Minutemen]

Mookie needs a MOAB. on his fat head!

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

And see this:

ISF find largest EFP cache to date in MND-C

**********************EXCERPT*************************

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – A local tip led Iraqi Security Forces to the largest explosively-formed penetrator cache found to date in Multi-National Division – Center’s area of operation, April 2.

The munitions were discovered in a 6-ton truck in a garage in al Qasim, Iraq.

******************************

Direct shipment from Iran....

[karnage]

Good thing they found it.

[Allegra]

Freedom and Democracy are incompatible with Islam.

The Iraqis want it and they are fighting for it. I knew they were serious on January 30, 2005 when they came out in droves to vote under heavy death threats, mortars and rockets. They are brave and they want to be free.

Our own democracy didn't set in all nice in five years. Nor did Germany's or Japan's. Why would Iraq be any different?

[Allegra]

Direct shipment from Iran....

What are we waiting for?? Let's freakin' ROLL.

[mazda77]

Does the administration have the stones? Once I thought so but that confidence has long passed. What is needed is a surge of ISF with corrdinated support of our guys through Sadr City with extreme prejudice with an all out assualt on the Basra area. Clean ‘em out once and for all and let Mookie deal with his handlers in Teheran.

I’m really surprised wwe have not heard much from Al-Sistani. What are you hearing from him over there?

[Allegra]

What is needed is a surge of ISF with corrdinated support of our guys through Sadr City with extreme prejudice with an all out assualt on the Basra area. Clean ‘em out once and for all and let Mookie deal with his handlers in Teheran.

Well, there is an assault on Sadr City going on. The place is sealed off and it's very noisy over there, especially at night. I hear Basra's still very lively as well. I still think we need to send a direct, loud, fiery message to Tehran, now that it's completely out in the open that they're behind this.

I’m really surprised wwe have not heard much from Al-Sistani. What are you hearing from him over there?

I asked one of the Iraqis about this a couple of weeks ago and he said Sistani has "no power now." Didn't get any detail - there probably isn't much available at this time.

[Malsua]

Every time stretch Peolosi opens her mouth another mortar lands in the green zone.

[mazda77]

Keep yourself covered. We are seeing the reports coming in now. Looks like Mookie is done. Now let’s get the little rat who took over my Enbassy. (U.S. Army Stratcom Facility Teheran 1972-1974) Crypto jockey I was along with fixed station tech control.

[Marine_Uncle]

Until a law is put in place where all militias are illegal and the Iraqi forces are able to force them all to disband I fear we shall see continued power plays between all the named geographic areas and religious and political factions take place.
Perhaps in the future we can see where their form of government could work if the politicians can only rely on political discourse within the chambers of their parliament, with no backing of armed para-military groups to force their wills upon others.
If anything, Maliki among others must be realizing they have a bad system at present. Will enough of them at the high end have enough wisdom and political will to seek changes to their government structure across party and religious lines.
And we yet to fully understand how much the crime element influences the whole government both at the central level as well as at the provincial levels. Does Maliki and his key Ministers have the will and honesty to fully clean house regarding those that deviate from carrying out the "peoples business". Will we see a continued meeting of the minds across political divides as well as the religious divides, that could eventually make Iraq a transparent democratic government for the people and by the people. Guess the verdict is still hidden from view.