August Hell
Aug. 6th, 2004 10:56 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
yes_justiceLooks like Iraq is melting in the heat. Its been quite hot over there.
The "truce" with the Mahdi Army fighters is off. What motivates these people to take arms against the most well funded, equipped, trained, and deadly military in the history of humankind? If nothing else, the power of belief. Never underestimate the motivating power of belief. The Sadr city residential slums are being bombarded by US warplanes. Ahmed Shaybani, a spokesman for Sadr, said it was the U.S.-backed occupation forces who broke the truce by entering sacred areas of the holy city Najaf and damaging the shrine of Imam Ali. Also, our troops engaged in battle near Sadr's house last week, this all has clearly had repercussions.
Juan Cole translates some Quotes from Muqtada:
I haven't heard anything about his possible capture. He has also reportedly called for a truce. Odd. Actually, a truce would be the best option. Dealing with Muqtada is a job best done by Iraqi. Its extremely difficult for the occupying force to kill Mahdi Army fighters without killing civilians, devastating property, and increasing sympathy for the cause of their resistance. We are not popular over there right now, and a sustained attempt to overrun Sadr's militia will create more enemies, as we saw in April.
Sistani's departure to London is odd as well. Without the moderate Sistani active, perhaps the leash is removed from both those who would attack Sadr and those who would fight for him?
Look's like Robert Fisk's bleak report (about 4:10 into the MP3) last week (following the church bombings) warning of Iraq's impending implosion is coming true. Democracy Now! interviewed Fisk today.
"Over 300 militiamen are reported dead and a 1000 have been arrested according to the governor of Najaf. Overall, the situation looks bleak for Sadr, and one has to surmise if this would end in either his arrest or his death. I doubt that the Sadrist movement would be over with Muqtada's death, they would just have a third martyr from the Sadr family to add to their list."
The "truce" with the Mahdi Army fighters is off. What motivates these people to take arms against the most well funded, equipped, trained, and deadly military in the history of humankind? If nothing else, the power of belief. Never underestimate the motivating power of belief. The Sadr city residential slums are being bombarded by US warplanes. Ahmed Shaybani, a spokesman for Sadr, said it was the U.S.-backed occupation forces who broke the truce by entering sacred areas of the holy city Najaf and damaging the shrine of Imam Ali. Also, our troops engaged in battle near Sadr's house last week, this all has clearly had repercussions.
Juan Cole translates some Quotes from Muqtada:
- ''I say America is our enemy and the enemy of the people, and we will not accept its partnership.''
- ''I blame the occupier for all the attacks going on in Iraq, such as the attacks on the churches and the kidnappings,'' he said in the sermon read by an aide, Sheik Jaber al-Khafaji.
- ''America is the greatest of Satans,'' he said, adding that violence was in the interest of foreign troops who want ''to create divisions and to control our dear country''
- In his sermon, al-Sadr called on his followers to continue the path of jihad or holy war even if he got killed.
- ''You have taken this path and you have to put up with the dangers and the obstacles. Heaven doesn't come at no price,'' he said. ''Don't wait for me to get up on the pulpit and give you directions. I, certainly, will be gone because the enemy is lurking for me everywhere. Don't let my death divide you.''
I haven't heard anything about his possible capture. He has also reportedly called for a truce. Odd. Actually, a truce would be the best option. Dealing with Muqtada is a job best done by Iraqi. Its extremely difficult for the occupying force to kill Mahdi Army fighters without killing civilians, devastating property, and increasing sympathy for the cause of their resistance. We are not popular over there right now, and a sustained attempt to overrun Sadr's militia will create more enemies, as we saw in April.
Sistani's departure to London is odd as well. Without the moderate Sistani active, perhaps the leash is removed from both those who would attack Sadr and those who would fight for him?
Look's like Robert Fisk's bleak report (about 4:10 into the MP3) last week (following the church bombings) warning of Iraq's impending implosion is coming true. Democracy Now! interviewed Fisk today.
