Paragon Posted March 25, 2008 Iraqi Troops, Militias Clash in Basra By RYAN LENZ – 39 minutes ago BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraqi forces clashed with Shiite militiamen Tuesday in the southern oil port of Basra and rockets rained down on the U.S.-protected Green Zone in Baghdad as followers of Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr expanded a nationwide backlash against government crackdowns . The U.S. Embassy said no deaths or serious casualties were reported in the Green Zone attacks — the second major barrage this week launched from Shiite areas. Two rockets landed on Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's compound, but did not explode, an Iraqi government security official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to disclose the information. Al-Maliki was in Basra, where he is supervising the operation against the Shiite militia fighters. At least 22 people were killed in the Basra fighting, officials said. The violence marked a stunning escalation in the confrontation between the Shiite-run government and al-Sadr's forces, who have bitterly complained about the recent arrests of hundreds of backers. The clashes also threaten to reverse the security gains achieved by U.S. and Iraqi forces — which have been hailed by Washington as key signs that Iraq was headed for better days. Al-Sadr declared a unilateral cease-fire last August. That move — along with a U.S. troop buildup and a Sunni alliance with the American forces — has contributed to a steep drop in violence over the past several months. But the truce is now under serious pressure. Al-Sadr's allies have grown increasingly angry over U.S. and Iraqi raids and detentions — demanding the release of followers. The cleric recently told his followers that the cease-fire remains in effect, but they were free to defend themselves against attacks. Al-Sadr's headquarters in Najaf also ordered field commanders with his Mahdi Army militia to go on maximum alert and prepare "to strike the occupiers" — a term used to describe U.S. forces — and their Iraqi allies, a militia officer said. He declined to be identified because he wasn't supposed to release the information. Lawmakers from al-Sadr's movement announced in a Baghdad press conference that a general strike campaign — which began in selected neighborhoods of the capital and included the closure of businesses and schools — was being expanded nationwide. Stores and schools were closed in several other predominantly Shiite neighborhoods in the capital, and armed Mahdi Army members were seen patrolling the streets in some Shiite neighborhoods of the capital. In Basra, Iraqi soldiers and police battled Mahdi fighters for control of key neighborhoods in Iraq's second-largest city, 340 miles southeast of Baghdad. The fighting erupted a day after al-Maliki flew there and announced the security crackdown against the militias. AP Television News video showed smoke from explosions rising over the city and Iraqi soldiers exchanging gunfire with militia members. Basra accounts for most of Iraq's oil exports, but an oil ministry official, declining to be identified because he wasn't supposed to publicly discuss the sensitive issue, said production and exports had not been affected by the fighting. Oil futures fell below $100 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Curfews were also imposed in the Shiite cities of Kut, where a large number of Mahdi Army gunmen were seen deploying on the streets, and Nasiriyah. In Baghdad, suspected Mahdi Army gunmen exchanged gunfire with security guards of the rival Shiite Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council in Sadr City, police said. The rising tension led many people in Shiite neighborhoods to stay at home rather than venture into contested streets. Athra Ali, 27, a government employee who lives in the Hurriyah neighborhood, said she decided not to go to work after seeing many shops closed and streets abandoned. A university lecturer at Baghdad's Mustansiriyah University also said the institution had closed early and sent students home. Security in Basra had been steadily declining well before the British handed over responsibility for security to the Iraqis on Dec. 16. Col. Karim al-Zaidi, spokesman for the Iraq military, said security forces were encountering stiff resistance from Mahdi Army gunmen in the city. The U.S. military said Tuesday that five suspected militants were killed in Basra while attempting to place a roadside bomb. Ten others were injured after being spotted conducting suspicious activity, the statement said. British troops remained at their base at the airport outside Basra and were not involved in the ground fighting Tuesday, according to the British Ministry of Defense. But three British jets provided aerial surveillance for the Iraqi forces, said Maj. Tom Holloway, a military spokesman in Basra. He said the British jets had not dropped any bombs adding: "They haven't yet asked." U.S. officials have insisted they are not going after Sadrists who respect the cease-fire but are targeting rogue elements, known as "special groups," that the military believes have ties to Iran. Tehran denies allegations it is fueling the violence. The U.S. military blamed Iranian-backed Shiite militia factions for a spate of rocket attacks that struck the Green Zone and surrounding areas on Monday. The Sadrists allege that rival militia factions have infiltrated the security forces and are targeting the movement to gain advantage in provincial elections expected this fall. Associated Press writers Bushra Juhi, Sinan Salaheddin and Qassim Abdul-Zahra contributed to this report. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paragon Posted March 26, 2008 Basrans describe life under fire Two residents in Basra describe conditions in the city and what they know of the fighting between Iraqi forces and local militia. RAAD, BASRA I think the worst fighting is in Hayania district, it's the poorest area of Basra and a stronghold of the Mehdi Army, but it's a bit far from us to know what's really going on. There is not much fighting where we live in al-Janina district, but we can hear the fighting in al-Jumhouriya - a poor neighbourhood a couple of miles away. The government started this operation without warning, so we were caught off guard. We are stuck in our house, unable to go out and buy food. No shops are open anyway. People have already started to ration their food. The water supply has been cut. I don't know why - maybe it's because the water engineers are staying at home like everyone else. I think the state forces are winning the battle, but they are fighting from a distance and not going in house to house yet. The troops fighting now came from Baghdad. I think the national forces don't trust the local men to crack down on the militia We definitely support the government in trying to enforce the law. The only way they can do it at the moment is through force. I think they have left it too long, actually. Over the last few months the militias have become really unruly, they have been getting away with whatever they want. The Mehdi Army is the worst - especially the breakaway elements. The militia which belongs to the Mayor's Fadhila party is also very bad. The current head of police is a good person who wants to confront them, he is just unable to do so. The troops fighting now came from Baghdad. I think the national forces don't trust the local men to crack down on the militia. ALI AHMAD, BASRA CITY CENTRE The Iraqi army has imposed a curfew, so we can hardly leave the house. We live in the city centre; it seems the Iraqi army is in control around here. We welcome the Iraqi army, we think they will be able to take full control of Basra, and restore law and order From what I have gathered from people I know in the Mehdi Army, their men don't have enough ammunition to hold out for very long. The gunfire and artillery fire around the city intensifies every two hours. I live close to a hospital, and though I haven’t seen any of the killed or wounded, I can hear lots of ambulance sirens. I phoned members of my family who live in other areas of the city. They say they have seen lots of casualties in areas like Hayania and Tamimia. We still have electricity here, however, the cost of food and fuel has risen dramatically. For example, a gas canister used to cost 6,000 Iraqi Dinars and now it is 15,000 Dinars. My family was ready for this, we managed to store fuel and food before the fighting began. However, many others didn't and so they are struggling to get the basics for their families. The Mehdi Army men are only here out of self-interest. They wanted to take control over every aspect of life in Basra for no reason except gaining more power and control. My family and I welcome the Iraqi army in the area. We believe they will be able to take full control of Basra, and restore law and order. Interview carried out and translated by BBCArabic.com Story from BBC NEWS: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/talking_point/7314818.stm Published: 2008/03/26 15:19:48 GMT © BBC MMVIII Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Che -Guevara Posted March 26, 2008 If this round of violence escalates, it is not gonna be good for Mccain who staked his candicacy on a Iraq. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
