Thanks for specifying but it is not always easy to tell here what people mean by statements like "take the gloves off." I am thinking of the frequent posters who hold forth on the merits on using "nukes" or "carpet bombing" entire cities.
Having said this,your more targeted solution is likely to lead to heavy civilian deaths since members of these militias do not wear uniforms, often have "day jobs," and live among civilians like other Iraqis. Especially in a country where nearly Iraqi male has an automatic weapon in his houses, separating the civilian from the militia member is an almost impossible task.
I agree. And I have this question and I hope someone could give me an answer: would taking out Sadr and his militias help quell Sunni insurgency? Afterall they've been at it for three and a half years. This month 93 American soldiers were killed in Iraq. Can anyone name a single incident of these in which Sadr's militias were responsible?
Having said that I agree that the Iraqi government must stand firm against ALL militias. I read today that Maliki is postponing action until after a reconciliation conference on Nov 4th.