Posted on 08/16/2005 5:50:59 PM PDT by Callahan
BAGHDAD, Iraq -- The capital's Sadr City section was once a hotbed of Shiite Muslim unrest, but it has become one of the brightest successes for the U.S. security effort.
So far this year, there has been only one car bombing in the neighborhood, and only one American soldier has been killed.
A year ago, militiamen with automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades roamed the streets in open revolt against the American presence. But U.S. troops quelled the uprising and today calmly patrol the district, aided by loyalists of the radical cleric who spurred the violence.
Life in Sadr City, a slum of 2.5 million people, is dominated by the radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, whose face is on posters everywhere. At police checkpoints, unarmed men loyal to Sadr enforce security, keeping car bombs and foreign fighters out.
"They're hoping they can minimize the coalition's contribution to security," said Lt. Col. Gary Luck, whose U.S. Army unit is responsible for security in Sadr City.
Despite the lack of terrorist violence, Iraqi and U.S. soldiers constantly find bodies dumped in industrial areas, bound, blindfolded and shoeless. American commanders say Sadr controls a "punishment committee" that enforces vigilante justice against the cleric's opponents and those who violate religious strictures, such as those who drink alcohol.
AP
Incidentally, Sadr City is where Casey Sheehan died "for nothing," according to his blessed Mum.
the residents don't call it Sadr City anymore.
They stopped calling it that after Mookie started slaughtering people in the shrine in Najaf....
The phrase "a slum of 2.5 million people" just put things into perspective for me. It just indicates how microscopic the media's vision really is.
"Despite the lack of terrorist violence, Iraqi and U.S. soldiers constantly find bodies dumped in industrial areas, bound, blindfolded and shoeless. American commanders say Sadr controls a "punishment committee" that enforces vigilante justice against the cleric's opponents and those who violate religious strictures, such as those who drink alcohol."
Why oh why is Mookie still free as a bird? The man is a stone murderer and leader of a gang of criminals.
It won't be a success in my book until this POS is dead, Muqtada al-Sadr.
Hmmm......not sure that's good, then...
We tolerated, and still do, organized crime. We just don't call criminals freedom fighters.
things like this don't fit the MSM's agenda...
You could call it a devil's bargain to keep the peace.
You could call it a devil's bargain to keep the peace.
Good question...
honestly we haven't been that close to him.
And not only that, as he opens his mouth, he alienates another segment of the crowd it is attempting to whip into a frenzy.
If you kill him or jail him, it is thought that he would use that to his advantage.
its strategery
I'd guess that this Cleric is sucking up to the Americans in hopes that he can move in after we leave. We have to move one step at time.
Strategery and incremental progress is not allowed. You must show instant, miraculous results to satisfy the MSM and keep the the liberal fifth column at bay.
Proof that capital punishment does work.
OR the FR doomers and gloomers.....
I bet that within the next two weeks, something atrocious goes down in Sadr City... Just to make a point, I'm sure.
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