Posted on 08/24/2005 4:39:39 PM PDT by FreedomNeocon
Mohammed over at iraqthemodel.blogspot.com seems claifies a very important point that the AP missed in their "Anti-sadr and Pro-sadr forces clash in Najaf" story.
That the "anti-Sadr" forces were the citizens of Najaf who remembered 'last time' and didn't want him coming back. (bonus for more examples of 'militants' using holy sites to 'hide' in)
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Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Muqtada's office in Najaf is on fire. Right now there are bloody clashes in Najaf between the supporters of Muqtada Al-Sadr and the residents of the city.
The clashes started after Al-Sadr men tried to reopen their office which has been closed for months but the locals attacked the office, set fire in it and clashed with Sadr's men.
The police forces intervened and the casualties till now are 7 killed and tens wounded. I have received news saying that a curfew has been imposed in the city.
It's worth mentioning here that the governor prohibited demonstrations arranged by people from outside the city "who wants to demonstrate can go and do that in his own city" said the governor in a statement yesterday.
I was told in a phone call from a friend who lives there that gunfire can be heard right now in najaf.
As a reaction, a number of Sadrists suspended their membership in the National Assembly and warned from "serious consequences" accusing the governor and his party (the SCIRI) of being responsible for the tension in the city.
Update:
Al-Hurra just reported that the Najaf police force is exchanging gunfire with the followers of Muqtada Al-Sadr. The militia men are now hiding and returning fire from the shrine of Imam Ali.
At the same time, the Badr organization (military wing of the SCIRI) denied connection with the conflict.
Update:
There are news about clashes extending to reach parts of Baghdad and apparently followers of Muqtada have attacked some offices tht belong to the Badr organization of the SCIRI while the news are confirming that the first clashes originated between the Sadrists and civilian residents.
On the other hand, the ministers of transport and health (both Sadrists) have suspended their membership in the government.
This is very close to a civil war
We aren't any closer to Civil War in Iraq now than we were LAST August when Mookie took over the Shrine in Najaf.
He was going to do it again, except this time the people of Najaf, the ones who had relatives slaughtered within the Shrine itself, won't put up with it.....
Agreed whole heartedly. It aint the U.S. he has to worry about this time. It's the locals; and I'd bet my bottom dollar the locals win.
Well, this is (sort of) good news.
It would be if Sadr commanded a huge portion of the population to qulaify as a faction in 'civil war'.
I would think you'd need to be at least 20% minimum and he is no where close. Hes a small time thug with influence in Sadr city mostly due to namesake and nothing else.
What I see here is him loosing even that support.
He tried to test the waters and exert some of that 'influence' he used to have, and the people didn't want to be ruled by his 'militia'. Demonstrating his influence beyond Sadr city not only EXTREEMLY poor (but acutally swung in the other direction to the point people will fight and die to keep him out)
yep.
There is a reason Sadr's faction only got 3 people into the provisional government after the elections.
the people see them as affiliated with Iran (which is correct) and that he wants to impose Sharia (which is also correct and given the mess that he left the shrine in, he didn't win himself any support).
are you in Iraq right now?
My hat is off to you if you are.
I remember about this time last year that the people who lived within Sadr City didn't want to be called citizens of Sadr City.
Of course then he got fragged by his own guys and we let him walk away rather than martyr him....
My understanding is that he controls Bashra
Hardly. It's not even of Whiskey Rebellion stature.
I missed that. Any details or a link?
The Iraqis get it and the Democrats don't!
We will prevail, in spite of doomsayers who care only for reaquiring power.
just what I saw and heard when I was over there...
the only link I can give to you is the news stories that included a hint at that but I am sure you can find that as well...
He also likes little boys but you won't see the MSM reporting on that either....
"This is very close to a civil war"
I'd be more concerned if they welcomed this two bit terrorist with open arms.
cool. So who is running the place? From what I read from the reporter who was killed, it isn't the British.
It's the Iraqis, but they have the same problem in Basrah as they do elsewhere in the country.
NO big deal.
Sadr is kinda like Nader. He is more or less defeated at every turn, but he won't go away....
Sadr is nothing but an Iranian backed terrorist trying to start a civil war. Ain't gunna happen. Your next Iran.
Pong
Sadr is a punk, bought and paid for by Iran, and everybody in the country knows it.
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