Posted on 07/26/2008 7:16:56 PM PDT by flyfree
BAGHDAD — The militia that was once the biggest defender of poor Shiites in Iraq, the Mahdi Army, has been profoundly weakened in a number of neighborhoods across Baghdad, in an important, if tentative, milestone for stability in Iraq.
It is a remarkable change from years past, when the militia, led by the anti-American cleric Moktada al-Sadr, controlled a broad swath of Baghdad, including local governments and police forces. But its use of extortion and violence began alienating much of the Shiite population to the point that many quietly supported American military sweeps against the group.
Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki struck another blow this spring, when he led a military operation against it in Baghdad and in several southern cities.
The shift, if it holds, would solidify a transfer of power from Mr. Sadr, who had lorded his once broad political support over the government, to Mr. Maliki, who is increasingly seen as a true national leader.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
ping
I Love it when the NYT heroes are losing.
Please do not continue properly excerpted articles in responses on the thread. Thank you.
?
Your post makes absolutely no sense. Please clarify. ;-)
Thank you,oh Lord Obama for pacifying the Mahdi Army with your mere presence.
Punish Doc for his insolence.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
Not so much insolence as a request for clarification. What the heck was the Mod trying to say?
Not being the Mod originally on duty, please allow me to clarify.
Do not attempt to circumvent FR excerpting rules by posting an article, in whole or in part, as a reply.
I dunno.
Thank you … now I understand the Mod post.
;-)
I don’t ask much … just a crumb here, a piece of bread there, a clarification now and then. ;-)
But when they come for you, I'll remember nothing.
Let’s see, a new sharia sword to beat about my head and shoulders until I bleed on muslim all devils day or a new 52inch plasma TV with satellite reception? Decisions decisions.
Oh and they better hav better security for Al-Maliki than was provided for Anwar Sadat or this will be a shortlived peace. That guy has delivered.
Snicker, snicker … I understand. LOL!
Look, I appreciate the Mods. They are the glue that holds this site together. However, if they post, that post must make sense. I have been hammered on many occasions
for not making sense by the others, including Mods … in turn, the Mods have an obligation to make sense. Anytime I have a question about anything a Mod says, I ask … and that was all this was about. ;-)
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