Posted on 02/13/2007 4:48:18 PM PST by mdittmar
Feb. 13, 2007 — The story tonight in Iraq is not the arrival of more U.S. troops, but the departure of one of the country's most powerful men, Moqtada al Sadr and members of his army.
According to senior military officials al Sadr left Baghdad two to three weeks ago, and fled to Tehran, Iran, where he has family.
Al Sadr commands the Mahdi Army, one of the most formidable insurgent militias in Iraq, and his move coincides with the announced U.S. troop surge in Baghdad.
Sources believe al Sadr is worried about an increase of 20,000 U.S. troops in the Iraqi capital. One official told ABC News' Martha Raddatz, "He is scared he will get a JDAM [bomb] dropped on his house."
Sources say some of the Mahdi army leadership went with al Sadr.
Though he is gone for now, many think al Sadr is not gone for good. In Tehran he is trying to keep the Madhi militia together.
In recent months al Sadr has come to the political table to force change rather than using military force to have an impact. Sources say an even more extreme faction within his militia isn't pleased with this turn of events, and is trying to force the cleric to respond to recent Sunni attacks with more violence.
U.S. officials say they are going to watch those member of the Mahdi army left behind in Baghdad. Sources say two scenarios are possible: Either al Sadr will be driven further into extremist mode or he will continue going forward with the political process.
Anyone remember the classic song "The Battle of New Orleans"?
"We fired our guns and the British kept a'comin.
There wasn't nigh as many as there was a while ago.
We fired once more and they began to runnin'
down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico."
When's the last time you saw an Arab Muslim raise his fists and throw a punch (in equal unarmed combat, of course)?
No, not ever, as long as there's an AK-47 nearby.
That's the Democrat/RINO model, too.
... we took a little bacon and we took a little beans
and we fought the bloody British in the town of New Orleans, ...
But wait, I thought martyrdom was a much sought after thing with the muslims, you know 72 virgins and all. Besides, won't Allah protect him since he is on the correct side and killing the infidels?
Holy cow, the Weekly Standard guys were right. What was needed was MORE TROOPS!
Sadr is like every other bully. Stand up to him and he runs off with his tail between his legs.
(I'm a little bothered by the fact that we had to lose Congress to convince Bush to send more troops though. Why didn't he do this years ago???)
Welcome to FR.
The true sign of a leader... hiding out several hundred miles from where your men are.
Thanks!
...JustDam
rudy,rudy,rudy;)
"Sources say two scenarios are possible: Either al Sadr will be driven further into extremist mode or he will continue going forward with the political process."
ORRRRR....a JDAM or a US Army/Marine sniper WILL find the punk lowlife and eliminate the need to ponder the above to scenarios.
Ran to the wrong country if he fears our bombs... Even Putin is scared of us these days. Bunch of global pansy.... we are so sick of world punks.
Any thoughts on whoooo the POTUS '08 will be? I'm praying!!!
Nice photo....
Nice post!
Will this show up on the Sunday Talk shows?
Theerrrrre Ya Go. Right on!
"Al Sadr commands the Mahdi Army, one of the most formidable insurgent militias in Iraq
Um, apparently not."
Why not?
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