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| Iraq |
| RoP Humanitarian Mission in Sadr City |
| 2008-04-06 |
| BAGHDAD – Iraqi Army soldiers and innocent Iraq civilians were attacked by small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades during a humanitarian mission in the Sadr City district of Baghdad at approximately 10 a.m. April 5. Iraqi Army soldiers were handing out water and food to local residents when the attack from criminals occurred. Two innocent civilians were wounded in the attack. A military transition team with Multi-National Division – Baghdad was supporting the Iraqi Army soldiers prior to the attack. The IA soldiers immediately returned fire. No killed or wounded from the criminal attackers has been confirmed. Better get these soldiers some more range time. “These criminals have terrorized the civilians of Sadr City, preventing them from working or providing for their families,” said Lt. Col. John Digiambattista, operations officer for the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. “This was a humanitarian aid mission trying to make life better for innocent Iraqi citizens. If their lives are made better then their would-be 'leaders' will have more trouble inciting them to bitch at & attack the current government. This mission was attacked by dishonorable criminals who are ignoring al-Sayyid Muqtada al-Sadr’s ceasefire." |
| Posted by:Glenmore |
| #6 The Arab politician Maliki can afford to gamble the lives of Iraqi soldiers [lack of readiness, reserves, replenishment] and throw them into the snake pit of Basra, and to a lesser extent Sadr City etc It's not necessarily a matter of 'affording'. It may a matter of dire necessity. There is a difference. |
| Posted by: Pappy 2008-04-06 21:04 |
| #5 Iraqi Politics make Medusa's snaky hair look inviting. Post Operation Knights' Bill Roggio: The Iraqi government has now essentially co-opted the same strategy of dealing with the Mahdi Army as the US military instituted in late 2006. The strategy works to divide the Mahdi Army into legitimate actors and criminal groups. This strategy allows for the government to target the illegal elements of the Mahdi Army in raids under the mantle of the law. US and Iraqi security forces have conducted numerous operations against the Special Groups using this method. This has caused schisms inside the Mahdi Army, with some elements breaking off to receive support from Iran and others defying SadrÂ’s orders to lay down their weapons. ********* Bill Roggio: The political front The major political parties in the ruling Coalition remain united in supporting the offensive against the Mahdi Army and the Iranian-backed Special Groups cells. President Jalal Talabani and Massoud Barazani, the president of the Kurdish Regional Government reiterated their support for the operation on Friday, while Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki ratcheted up the rhetoric against the Shia terror groups. Maliki called the Shia terrorists "worse than al Qaeda" and vowed to remain in Basrah until the operation is completed. "Our determination is strong ... those who break the law are punished, and those who draw their weapons in the face of the state are punished," Maliki said on Iraqi state television. *** Love the analysis Fred and Pappy, wish we had more... The Arab politician Maliki can afford to gamble the lives of Iraqi soldiers [lack of readiness, reserves, replenishment] and throw them into the snake pit of Basra, and to a lesser extent Sadr City etc. [my opinion of political or military leadership that throw American soldiers lives away for the sake of War politics is unprintable, even though i recognize it must be done occasionally, even so I reject it] Perhaps Maliki politics will look absolutely brilliant in time, anyhoo politically he's is allot smarter than my opinion of his looks and military judgement alone.. ~:) |
| Posted by: RD 2008-04-06 16:25 |
| #4 Pappy is right, the Iraqi government will never have the respect and fear it needs until it can enforce its will without American firepower. |
| Posted by: Apostate 2008-04-06 12:32 |
| #3 There are indeed other interpretations. Consider: You're a prime minister, a compromise candidate who was placed into power, and considered to be be both and simultaneously a tool of the Dawa party, the White House, the radical Shiites, and the Iranians. You're also trying to hold a fragile coalition together, with parties joining and resigning as they or their masters jockey for power. Your background is nationalist; you were under a death sentence by Hussein's Baathist government. You've clashed with the coalition forces over their use of force and over some of their operations, the State Department over Blackwater, and your own political parties. You've pissed off the Americans by inviting the Iranians to come and train your military. On the plus side, most of the Democrats despise you and think you're incompetent. Then the Mahdi army and Iranian-backed criminal elements begin overtly acting up. They control the oil export apparatus and transport system. They're in defiance of the central government and in conflict with the Dawas and Sistani's group (your two main backers). You think if you don't make a move, you're going to lose face. But you're a nationalist. You don't want to be seen as a tool of the Americans. You sure as hell don't trust the British. You also don't want to completely alienate the Shiite community in the south and drive them all into the arms of Sadr, or the Iranians. So you gamble that your own forces can do the job... |
| Posted by: Pappy 2008-04-06 12:17 |
| #2 There are other interpretations, though. Maliki wouldn't have started the operation if he hadn't thought he could win. It was supposed to be a purely Iraqi operation -- ostentatiously without U.S. help, in fact. The breakdown of segments of his force left him standing naked in the schoolyard of Iraqi politix with his organ in his hand. Had he succeeded, he'd have been in the cat bird seat with regard to Iraqi politix and the U.S. forces. It was his bad luck that the best Iraqi military minds aren't up to the standard of the U.S. But he did have some reason for confidence. The Iraqi army has historically been an instrument for suppressing the populace, not for winning wars. Nor were the Iraqi forces defeated, especially once he called for U.S. and British help. His most serious problem was that he had egg on his face. What good did come out of it was that the cessation of hostilities was set up by elements within the Dawa party. At least now he knows which one's Tessio and which one's Clemenza. |
| Posted by: Fred 2008-04-06 08:18 |
| #1 BAGHDAD – Iraqi Army soldiers and innocent Iraq civilians were attacked by small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades during a humanitarian mission in the Sadr City district of Baghdad at approximately 10 a.m. April 5. Basra & Sadr City, my 2¢, I'm afraid that Maliki is dumber than he appears. Why? For years Maliki has had the Golden Opportunity to listen to the Best Military Minds in the World, AND see those American Generals put those ideas into action along with the best War Fighting technology in the World. [Those YEARS should have clued Maliki in, that he was amongst intelectually superior minds especially superior Military Minds and that he 'twasn't One of 'em] I'm afraid he's no better than most Arab politicians who promise that Dire Apocalyptic Horrors will befall their enemies ['Muqtada al-Sadr and his Mahdi army] BUT in the end settle for a strategic TIE. Bill Roggio: Members of Maliki’s Dawa political party approached the leader of Iran's Qods Force asking him to get Sadr to stop the fighting. Shortly afterward, Sadr ordered his troops to withdraw from fighting and issued a nine-point statement of demands for the Iraqi government. Last question: How smart are you when you have the Unbelievable Fortune to have General David Petraeus plus staff with his unmatched military machine at your disposal, And yet you refuse to ask him for his help? [until afterwards] And on top of that incredibly stupid Blunder you decide to Blunder Forth by playing Generalissimo yourself. Please add or subtract as needed.. |
| Posted by: RD 2008-04-06 02:30 |