Note: The following blog entry is a quote:
blog:
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/7145.htm
Mahdi Army in Iraq Relies on Youths and Children
The recent attacks by the Iraqi and U.S. forces on the Mahdi Army (namely the Law Enforcement campaign in Baghdad in February 2008, and the Knights’ Attack campaign in Basra in March 2008) forced many of the militia’s commanders to flee to Iran or to go into hiding, which in turn has prompted the younger generation of commanders to come forward and take their place. In addition, the Mahdi Army has taken to using teens and children as scouts. The latter are provided with mobile phones and asked to inform the commanders of the approach of U.S. forces.
Source: Al-Hayat, London, May 2, 2008
Posted at: 2008-05-02
blog:
http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2008/05/gmlrs_strike_knocks.php
“GMLRS strike knocks out Special Groups command center in Sadr City”
By BILL ROGGIO
(May 3, 2008 1:25 PM)
BLOG ENTRY SNIPPET: “A member of the Iraqi national police creates an inventory of illegal weapons confiscated by Iraqi national police in the Sadr City District of Baghdad, Iraq, as he turns them over to members of the 42nd brigade, 11th Iraqi army division, at Combat Patrol Base Comanche on April 19. (US Air Force photo/Technical Sergean Adrian Cadiz)
US and Iraqi forces continue to target the Mahdi Army as an Iraqi delegation visited Iran to confront the country over its support of Shia militias battling the government. The US military conducted a guided rocket attack on a Special Groups headquarters adjacent to a hospital in Sadr City, while 14 Mahdi Army fighters have been killed during clashes over the past 24 hours.
The US army targeted and destroyed a Special Groups command and control center with Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System in Sadr City at 10 a.m. Saturday morning, Multinational Forces Iraq reported.”
#
http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=19027&Itemid=21
APO AE 09342
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20080503-08
May 3, 2008
“Criminal element command-control center destroyed”
Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO
BAGHDAD
###
###
blog:
Previously...
http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2008/05/iraqis_despise_the_m.php
“Iraqis begin to ‘despise’ the Mahdi Army in Baghdad’s Rusafa district”
By BILL ARDOLINO
(May 3, 2008 11:57 AM)
#
http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2008/05/sadr_city_barrier_a.php
“Sadr City barrier ‘a magnet’ for Mahdi Army attacks”
By BILL ROGGIO
(May 2, 2008 1:36 AM)