Baghdad ultimatum for US troops (Shiites want US troops out of Sadr City)

MSNBC.com ^ | 14 August 2003 | MSNBC News Services

[Moose4]

BAGHDAD, Iraq, Aug. 14 — A Shiite Muslim group on Thursday demanded that U.S. troops withdraw from a Baghdad neighborhood within 24 hours, a day after American forces fired on protesters and killed at least one person. A senior U.S. officer issued an apology and promised to “punish” those responsible, but the commander of coalition forces in Iraq, Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, later appeared to defend how U.S. troops handled the incident.

Sanchez said troops try to keep Iraqi culture in mind but must remain aggressive in light of recent attacks. On Thursday in southern Iraq, a British soldier was killed and two were wounded when a bomb blast hit a military ambulance in Basra, a British military spokesman said.

Sanchez said the protest in Baghdad’s Sadr City “was about 3,000 people when we sent the unit to investigate,” he told a news conference. “The unit came under fire by small arms and actually an RPG (rocket-propelled grenade) was fired also from the crowd. Our unit returned fire and it wound up killing the RPG gunner and they wounded four others.”

Some Shiites said the victim was not a gunner, but a child.

[Moose4]

I searched and couldn't find this posted anywhere else.

The depths of utter stupidity that some of these Iraqis plumb daily simply amazes me. These Shiites were oppressed and killed in their thousands by Saddam, and now that we have overthrown Saddam they can worship freely. And their gratitude? Fire RPGs at us from a crowd, accuse us of trying to tear down a stupid banner with a UH-60 helicopter, and then threaten our troops when they defend themselves.

}:-)4

[marlon]

I say demand this raghead

[wideawake]

“We’re peaceful people, but one edict (from the imams) and the entire American army will become our prisoner,” said Hassan Azab, a member of the local district council.

This could be the funniest quote I've read in a while from this nation of lazy, barbaric morons.

[Mr. Lucky]

To compare these folks to lazy barbaric morons is an insult...

...to lazy, barbaric morons.

[moodyskeptic]

Okay, Shiites, I'll speak slowly so you'll understand.

There was a war in Iraq, that American and British soldiers WON. That makes you losers, or put another way, a conquered nation. You barbarians are being treated a thousand times more kindly than any conquered nation in history (especially in your part of the world). Do we have to chop off a few hundred hands to get your attention?

Iraquis: shut up and understand your role. Our patience thins.

[Hugin]

Khazali said the group was giving U.S. forces a one-day ultimatum to meet the demands, “otherwise we are not responsible for whatever reactions the U.S. soldiers might face if they entered the city.”

I suggest we tell this person "Yes, you are responsible. If you claim leadership, we will hold you responsible for the actions of your people."

“We’re peaceful people, but one edict (from the imams) and the entire American army will become our prisoner,” said Hassan Azab, a member of the local district council.

This person should be arrested immediately for threatening insurrection against US forces.

[Numbers Guy]

Okay, Shiites, I'll speak slowly so you'll understand.

Just tell them that we're putting native Iraqis back in charge of their neighborhood. Of course they'll all be Sunni Baathists.

[rintense]

I blame Iran for stirring the hornet's nest.

[wcbtinman]

"Rules of Engagement" redux.

[A Navy Vet]

Perfect!

[Cobra64]

"...and the entire American army will become our prisoner,”

This guy took threaten-lessons from either Baghdad Bob, or Tariq Aziz.

[Cobra64]

I'd take this guy out behind the wood shed and show him Saddam's chipper. Then I'd ask him to repeat his ultimatum. These people are beyond hope... Sorta like liberals.

[HOYA97]

In the words of a great American (GWB):

"Bring it on!"

[f.Christian]

also ...

" no sign of hesitation - weakness "

[salmon76]

Ultimatum:

"...or else we will make all of our women remove their burkas"

NO! Please, not that!

[RobbyS]

One thing is certain: if US forces come under fire, they will fire back.

[pawdoggie]

Youse guys need to lay off the steroids. Yes, a couple of
B-52s would wipe "Sadr City" off the map. But this is trouble we don't need right now. If the report on the video tape is correct, some of our folks may have (culturally) misunderstood the meaning of the black flag, and yanked it down. If it seems silly that the Shiites (over) reacted to it the way they did, imagine how you'd feel if some Middle-Eastern type tried to yank down Old Glory at the Courthouse. If an apology and some walking around money will cool things down, so much the better.

[Moose4]

Well, it seems that General Sanchez did apologize for what happened with the Islamic banner on the tower, which seemed to start this whole mess. I just wonder if the UH-60 was trying to blow it down or if it fell accidentally.

This is where our guys are walking a really thin tightrope. They do have to be culturally sensitive, you're right, but they also have to make it very plain that if somebody messes with them, they are going to die. Better not to even get in the fight at all, but if the fight happens, the fight has to be terminated quickly and decisively.

}:-)4

[HELLRAISER II]

I tell you what, we'll apologize when they apologize for killing our people. It's never going to happen, so if they shoot at us they better be prepared to meet Allah.

[HELLRAISER II]

I don't mean to be insensitive to the Muslims belief's but it doesn't matter what we do or how careful we are, they hate us and they would just assume see us all dead including you and me. Therefore I find it hard to worry about their feelings when our guy's and gal's are dying over there.