Article

2008-03-17 Iraq

7 killed as Shia militants clash with Iraqi police

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Posted by Fred 2008-03-17 00:00|| || Front Page|| [5 views ] Top
File under: Mahdi Army

#1 In Kut, it's Shia on Shia for the entertainment value. In Diyala, it's a complex mix of tribal and Shia / Sunni fighting.

The goal is to find a balance where both Shia and Sunni, and each tribe, gets most of what they want. In this region, long before we came, balance was imposed by force. We're trying negotiation and for the most part it's working.

For now, just think of it as a bad day in west LA.

Posted by Chuck Simmins">Chuck Simmins 2008-03-17 12:40|| http://northshorejournal.org]">[http://northshorejournal.org] 2008-03-17 12:40|| Front Page Top

#2 This is actually pretty interesting. From most of my reading, the police force is overwhelmingly Shia. That they are fighting against the more violent members of the Mahdi army is a great thing. Most likely these Mahdi guys are like a criminal gang, so as police they are doing their job. But doing their job is a huge step in the right direction. It seems the cops are getting better, just like the Iraqi army. All good!

Posted by Remoteman 2008-03-17 14:39|| 2008-03-17 14:39|| Front Page Top

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