Sadr Militiamen Take to Streets in Basra [have taken over parts of city]

Reuters ^ | May 8, 2004

[yonif]

BASRA (Reuters) - Hundreds of Shi'ite militiamen loyal to rebel Iraqi cleric Moqtada al-Sadr took to the streets of the British-controlled southern city of Basra on Saturday, witnesses said.

They said the militiamen, armed with assault rifles and rocket-propelled grenades, took over several areas of the city and were manning checkpoints on the streets.

A British military spokesman said he was aware of "disturbances" in Basra and added that large crowds, including some with arms, were gathering in the city center near the headquarters of the South Oil Company.

The spokesman also confirmed reports of clashes between coalition forces and gunmen of Sadr's Mehdi Army militia in the city of Amara, 180 km (115 miles) north of Basra.

He said one soldier was slightly wounded in the fighting. Mehdi Army militiamen killed two U.S. soldiers and wounded at least three British soldiers in clashes there a week ago.

Sadr and his followers, who rose up against the U.S.-led occupation a month ago, are under increasing pressure in the holy city of Najaf, where U.S. forces are tightening the noose around the firebrand leader who is wanted for the killing of a rival Shi'ite cleric.

Sadr has denied any role in the murder.

[Destro]

Um..weren't we beating them in Najaf?

[11th_VA]

"All ready on the firing line ..."

[spetznaz]

Time to bring in Mr. AC-130. He has a knack for convincing terrorists and insurgents alike to behave.

[Destro]

Tell Mr. AC-130 to hurry - they seem to be multiplying.

[stboz]

To quote Dustin Hoffman as Cap'n Hook. "Bad form!" Do not screw with the Brits.

[eastforker]

Yup, it is time to nip this in the bud, off with their heads.

[Plutarch]

I thought there weren't any problems in the British areas because the Brits, so they themselves said, were so much better than their American coalition partners at winning over the population?

No AC-130. Maybe a spot of tea, and they can talk it over?

[Wiggins]

Not too fast Mr. AC-130. Give the crowd a little time to gather. After all, we owe it to them.

[eastforker]

I am a bad American, I have lost all empathy for civilians lost in combat. After they took 3000 of ours I don't care how many we take of theirs.

[joesnuffy]

[randog]

Someone remind me why al-Sadr is still vertical and sucking air? Are we just jealous that the Israelis have Arafat?

[Allegra]

Sadr has got to go.

To heck with the mosque he's cowering in...take it out.

Time for a bright, noisy message.

[yonif]

Maybe the same US thinking that keeps Arafat alive is the reason Sadr is alive.

[randog]

Oh, yeah, I forgot....we're the one's keeping Arafat alive.

[yonif]

Nah. Israel fears US reaction, which is dumb and that's why Arafat is alive because of Israeli policy in reaction to America's. I was more relating to the US thinking behind why a policy of not wanting to see Arafat harmed is being followed; you know public statements saying this will be bad for the peace, bla bla bla.

[ExSafecracker]

That photo is really SPOOKY!

[livius]

I think that's probably true. When this began, Arafat was who I first thought of - I could easliy see Sadr setting himself up a la Arafat in a grubby little office, and hanging out there for decades ordering attacks for which he himself is never punished. I think we should do something about (i.e., kill) him now, before we hatch another Arafat.

BTW, I just heard a British report that this attack in Basra is still underway, and in fact seems to be growing, as more Shiites join Lil'Fatso's "army."

[may18]

Basra is now calm again aand fully under control just seen the military spokesman on uk news. Apparently several dead militiamen who where mingling amongst civilians before taking their potshots