blog:
http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2008/02/pressure_on_sadr_and.php
“Pressure on Sadr and the Iranian-backed Special Groups continues”
By BILL ROGGIO
February 18, 2008 2:49 AM
ARTICLE SNIPPET: “As previously reported at The Long War Journal, US and Iraqi forces have stepped up operations against the Iranian-backed and Mahdi Army-linked Special Groups terror cells. The increase in activity comes as Muqtada al Sadr is deliberating the reinstatement or cancellation of the self-imposed cease-fire.
Since the last report, the US military has singled out a former Mahdi Army commander as being behind violence in northern Baghdad while a senior spokesman said Iran is still supporting terror operations in Iraq. “The intent of Iran in supporting the training and financing [the Special Groups] we believe continues,” said Rear Admiral Gregory Smith, the director of Multinational Forces Iraq’s Communication Division. “In just the past week, Iraqi and coalition forces captured 212 weapons caches across Iraq, two of those coming from here inside Baghdad, with growing links to the Iranian-backed special groups.””
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1972420/posts
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Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.pakistanchristianpost.com/newsdetails.php?newsid=1093
Muslim mob took out eye of a Christian and injured women in attack on Church in Sabz-Kot, District Sialkot.
Sialkot: February 8, 2008. The Muslim mob used guns, axes and sticks in an attack on Christians of village Sabz-Kot, in sub-division Pasrur of District Sialkot in Punjab. The Muslims gathered in nearby village on February 6, 2008,
after announcement in mosques, to teach lesson to infidel Christians who warned few Muslims youth to stop harassing girls after Sunday services. A group of three-five Muslims used to pass remarks and grab by force to Christian girls in open courtyard of Church on way to their homes caused unrest among village Christians.
The Christian elders complained to Muslim leaders and requested them to advise Muslim youth to stop openly drinking liquor and using drugs in common courtyard of Church and Christian homes. Mr. Basharat Masih, an elected councilor of Union Council also raised matter of drunken Muslim youth with Muslim leaders.
The Muslims, who have bought two homes in Christian neighborhood after migration of two families to other city, claimed that common courtyard is their property now and threaten to put wall on door of Church to close it from courtyard side. Muslims insisted that their youth can drink in courtyard and no one can stop them.
On February 6, 2008, Muslims gathered in village two miles from Sabz-Kot after calls from mosques and attacked Christians in broad daylight.
The first victim of attackers was John Masih, they fired shot in air and asked him to kneel down before them, on refusal, three Muslims took control over John Masih and one Muslim took his one eye out with dagger, with a slogan “ we will take out eyes of every infidel who shall dare to look straight in our eyes”
Khariat Masih came to help John Masih and he was attacked by axe who fell down with broken head, wounds in abdomen and legs.
The area Christian Councilor, Basharat Masih, rushed to defuse tension and to prevent attackers but he was brutally beaten with sticks. His mother Salima Bibi fell him to save his son Basharat Masih from attackers but she was also dragged by hair in courtyard.
Later, Muslim mob broke out doors, which have been closed in fear of attack and dragged out children, men, women and elders. In gunfire, mob disrespected women and tortured men before their families.
The police came after attack and arrested Christians instead to register any case against Muslims. The police officials later started enquiry of incident in light of a property dispute between two groups.
On intervention of senior officials, John Masih, Khariat Masih, Basharat Masih, Salima Bibi and three other were admitted in hospital. John Masih and Khariat Masih are known to be in critical condition.