Posted on 05/28/2008 6:23:18 PM PDT by Dawnsblood
Basra had erupted into a Shiite-on-Shiite power struggle, and as long as Maliki ignored the evident instability in the South, whispered doubts flourished about his dedication to national unity. Maliki was still struggling with many Sunnis and Kurds over his willingness to tackle Shiite troubles and in-fighting.
On March 23, Maliki launched Operation Knight's Assault, in Basra. Thousands of soldiers stormed the southern Shiite bastion, specifically targeting Muqtada al Sadr and his army.
The early stages of the operation were shaky at best — 1,000 soldiers deserted ranks as they refused to fight against their brethren in the Mahdi army.
At congressional hearings in April, Gen. David Petraeus said, regarding Knight's Assault, "There's no question but that it could have been better planned and that the preparations could have been better."
But as Maliki bore the brunt of international backlash over the execution of the operation, he stood his ground.
And although many of the Shiite fighters melted into the streets, a little over a month later, the city is being called the "new city of hope." Not perfect by any means, but there are steady reports of businesses reopening, women cautiously baring skin and life being somewhat manageable. Success.
The Sunnis, Kurds and Shiites alike all eventually lauded the Basra operation as a huge success and whole-heartedly backed Maliki in his next endeavor — to revisit Mosul, and take on al Qaeda.
(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...
I heard the Basra city council just banned Alchohol after only being available again for a week by claiming the Iraq constitution allows the implemenation of Sharia law. Sounds like they Iranian stooges are still calling the shots down there.
Down the street here in Kuwait Islamist Party are looking to try and Implement sharia Law.. its a Thing in the Neighborhood..
This was an ABC report. Hard to believe but they are starting to get the truth out.
Fact is, the inhabitants of the area are happy to see the thugs put down and the government establish the rule of law. What a surprise.
Bush’s fault
The problem is what kind of law shall be in place. I don’t think any of us want Sharia law in Iraq, and the government seems to be heading in that direction.
Agree, but it’s their country. This is what we’ve been preparing them for. It has to be their choice. It can’t be ours or we’re no better than four millennia of would-be conquerors who failed. And I think we are better. It can fail, but it won’t be because of us. And that’s what makes all the difference.
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