Sadr 'freezes' militia activities

Ret10Echo · 08-29-2007, 08:21

Radical Iraqi Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr says he is freezing the activities of his Mehdi Army militia for up to six months in order to re-organise it.
He also called on all its offices to co-operate with the security forces and exercise "self-control", in a statement issued by his office in Najaf.

The order was read out at a conference in Karbala, where fierce fighting on Tuesday killed more than 50 people.

Police blamed the Mehdi Army for the violence, but it denied involvement.

A curfew is now in force in the holy city, where the situation is said to be calm.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6968720.stm

dennisw · 08-29-2007, 17:07

I was a little dissapointed in how our local paper presented this. Their headline stated, Clash of Shiite rivals kills 50. Seems to me it's legitimate Iraqi government versus criminal element, not two Shiite factions.

Guy · 08-31-2007, 09:08

Sadr should have been eliminated in the early stages of this war.

Stay safe.

incommin · 08-31-2007, 09:37

Sadr should be eliminated at the first opportunity!

Jim

Guy · 08-31-2007, 10:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by incommin

Sadr should be eliminated at the first opportunity!

Jim

Kinda late now, his popularity has grown quite a bit.

Stay safe.

**Team Sergeant** · 08-31-2007, 10:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guy

Kinda late now, his popularity has grown quite a bit.

Stay safe.

I don't know, saddam was kinda popular.....

I thought I read a news article stating that Radical Iraqi Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr was recently arrested in a Basra airport after "touching" his heels with an unidentified islamic extremist in an airport restroom?

There's more than one way to skin a cat.

TS

incommin · 08-31-2007, 11:12

TS, you are absolutely right! And we do not do enough of that......

Great mission for pysops......

Jim

**The Reaper** · 08-31-2007, 12:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ret10Echo

Radical Iraqi Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr says he is freezing the activities of his Mehdi Army militia for up to six months in order to re-organise it.
He also called on all its offices to co-operate with the security forces and exercise "self-control", in a statement issued by his office in Najaf.

The order was read out at a conference in Karbala, where fierce fighting on Tuesday killed more than 50 people.

Police blamed the Mehdi Army for the violence, but it denied involvement.

A curfew is now in force in the holy city, where the situation is said to be calm.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6968720.stm

One question.

Why?

I think it is because we have almost wiped out the Mahdi Army, he knows that the heat is on with us (but won't be forever), and he wants to preserve what is left of his force for the future fight.

Not likely that he did it because he was winning or gaining strength.

Thoughts?

TR

x-factor · 08-31-2007, 12:59

Other possible explanations:

- The organization has gotten too big (in population, in area, or both) and he needs to reconsolidate his control over his lieutenants, restock supplies, etc.

- He's having trouble with other Shiite organizations and he needs to reconsolidate his control over his lieutenants (ie he's making a loyalty check).

- He's having trouble with the Iranians and wants to cleanse his organization or assert his independence in some way.

- He needs a break to read the political tea leaves regarding whats going to happen when the Parliament comes back.

- He thinks the Americans are getting ready to draw down (or leave) and wants to be ready for a big push when the power vaccuum comes.

- He's waiting to see who wins the "Battle of the Surge" between the US/Tribal Allies and AQI in the Sunni areas. Or he's just taking the opportunity to rest his people while his two main opponents fight each other.

- He's made an under the table deal with another player (Maliki? Sistani?) to lay off for 6 months in return for something or maybe to avoid something.

- All or some combination of the above (including TR's statement that he's trying to regroup after losses).

Guy · 08-31-2007, 13:05

TR:

He's going to fill that "void" when we dicide to pull out. The Shia's and Kurds have too much to lose.

I've always said... "Baghdad reminds me of DC, ain't nothing there but a bunch of politicians."

TS:

They should of gotten rid of Sadr when, he wouldn't listen to Sistani.

Sadr reminds me of Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton..........

Stay safe.

longrange1947 · 09-01-2007, 09:37

This is nothing more than the same crap Giap and uncle Ho would do when they were getting a licking, call a truce to re consolidate, redistribute and rearm.

I say hit Sadr and say opps!

I'm tired of "taking the high road", you do not win wars by taking the high road.

HOLLiS · 09-01-2007, 09:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by longrange1947

This is nothing more than the same crap Giap and uncle Ho would do when they were getting a licking, call a truce to re consolidate, redistribute and rearm.

I say hit Sadr and say opps!

I'm tired of "taking the high road", you do not win wars by taking the high road.

I am in agreement. As far as the high road, I can see B52 at 50K ft doing a run on Sadr.

We hated cease fires, Charlie would just regroup then hit us very hard when the cease fire/truce ended.

SF_BHT · 09-01-2007, 10:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by longrange1947

This is nothing more than the same crap Giap and uncle Ho would do when they were getting a licking, call a truce to re consolidate, redistribute and rearm.

I say hit Sadr and say opps!

I'm tired of "taking the high road", you do not win wars by taking the high road.

You have a point.
We the American people have decided to Take the High Road for years and what has it given us. Every Hajji who is a Koran Thumper wants to kill us. You do not win an insurgency unless you take off the gloves and fight them just like they do. We do not need to do strap a bomb to our chest but you have to start to get a little dirty to make head way. Make the fear you. When you get one go after all his friends and family that have helped. When you are finished you look back and say hated to be that way but you made me.

Too much live CNN from the front and Politicians critiquing every movement. Politicians suck and when they say go they should be put back into their box, lock the door and do not let them out until the Professionals are finished. End game now you can have a new issue Mr elected official. We the American people do not want or need to watch every day of your life a war. We all know War is hell and is really ugly but it has to be sometimes to resolve situations that Radicals have put us and them into.

Sorry for the rant. Been watching too much DC cable.

**Team Sergeant** · 09-01-2007, 10:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by HOLLiS

I am in agreement. As far as the high road, I can see B52 at 50K ft doing a run on Sadr.

You're showing your age......

We can now place a Hellfire, 500, 2000 or even a 5000lb bomb with pinpoint accuracy, unseen, no need for an Arc light......

Just ask bin laden, oops, you can't that moron is currently taking a dirt nap.....

TS

HOLLiS · 09-01-2007, 15:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Team Sergeant

You're showing your age......

We can now place a Hellfire, 500, 2000 or even a 5000lb bomb with pinpoint accuracy, unseen, no need for an Arc light......

Just ask bin laden, oops, you can't that moron is currently taking a dirt nap.....

TS

LOL, That works for me. I just always enjoyed the light show B 52s put on at night.