Iraqi offensive underway against the Mahdi Army in Maysan ( Iran Border crossing closed )

Long War Journal ^ | June 14, 2008 10:10 AM | Bill Roggio

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

An Iraqi tank is stationed on the main road leading into Amarah. AFP photo.

Iraqi security forces, backed by the US military, have started an operation against the Mahdi Army in the southern border province of Maysan. Amarah, the provincial capital of Maysan, is thought to be one of the locations senior Mahdi Army leader retreated to after Iraqi forces moved into Sadr City last month. Amarah is also a forward command and control hub for Iranian operations in southern Iraq.

Iraqi security forces established checkpoints along the entrances to the province, and have closed down the border crossing to Iran at Al Sheeb, Voices of Iraq reported. Iraqi forces are also patrolling inside Amarah. "Joint patrol vehicles have also been deployed in downtown Amarah city, particularly in the areas of Hitteen, Al Urouba, Maghraba and Al Batira Street," a security source told Voices of Iraq.

The final preparations for operation started late last week as Iraqi forces began amassing at the airport north of Amarah, and set up positions along the major roads leading into the province. Units from Basrah and Baghdad were moved into Maysan to conduct the operation.

The operation began early Saturday after helicopters dropped leaflets in Amarah warning the residents to stay indoors, cooperate with security forces, and provide information on wanted suspects. Leaflets with photographs of wanted Mahdi Army leaders and “wanted persons who have been charged with murder, kidnap and robbery.”

There have been no reports of major clashes or the detention of high-value targets. Some of the Mahdi Army leaders in Amarah are believed to have fled into Iran, where Muqtada al Sadr, the leader of the Mahdi Army, resides.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Amarah is a strategic hub for Iranian operations in southern Iraq

Maysan province is a strategic link for the Ramazan Corps, the Iranian military command set up by Qods Force to direct operations inside Iraq.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Some serious action perhaps.

[ovrtaxt]

Didn’t the Iraqi leadership just meet with Ahmedinijad last week? I guess that went over like a fart in church.

[maine-iac7]

Some serious action perhaps.

Here's some action of the Iraqi forces backed up by us - yeah, it can be serious...love this video = this was an attack on Sadr City...One thing the Iraqi troops understand real well is: "GO-GO-GO"

http://youtube.com/watch?v=3tMDhVu-f2Q

lIVE LINK NEXT POST

[maine-iac7]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=3tMDhVu-f2Q

[Marine_Uncle]

Shake and bake time. If it where not for their oil Iran would never be playing their games out on the world stage. Because they would get their teeth kicked in with little effort.
Perhaps the Iraqi government will further united under one roof for the sake of national interests and not let up one iota in these type operations. Hopefully we shall start reading about some major set backs for the Quds force.
It is long overdue.
Meanwhile the pukes in Iran assume the Russians will back them if things come down to some cursory invasions of their land during a US air campaign to take out all their nuclear and nuclear and associated related industries and Qud force and other military sites. Putin leads them down the path Saddam ended up with.

[Marine_Uncle]

And to think of all the bone heads that do not have a clue regarding how long it took primarily the United States Marines and Army to train up a new Iraqi military force, that now is taking the fight to those that oppose a free and new democratic Iraq.

[rawcatslyentist]

If we close the Iraninan border, how will Nancy Pelousy’s “friends” win the war???

[freema]

: )

[TomasUSMC]

Amarah is a strategic hub for Iranian operations in southern Iraq

---

ALL B.S.

TEHRAN is a strategic hub for Iranian operations EVERYWHERE

Nuke them before they nuke US

[Marine_Uncle]

Hark!

[Straight Vermonter]

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Ernest for both:

US Army detains senior Mahdi Army commander in Baghdad
Long War Journal | June 14, 2008 2:44 PM | Bill Roggio
Posted on 06/14/2008 3:52:46 PM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2031189/posts