The Surge Is Working, So Says Georgie
Wednesday: 4 U.S. Soldiers, 40 Iraqis Killed; 107 Iraqis Woundedby Adil E. Shamoo
Once again, in reporting to Congress, Gen. David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker highlighted "progress" in Iraq without discussing the price Iraqis are paying for the occupation of their country.
Reports from Iraq indicate that nearly 500 Iraqis died in the first three days of fighting against the Sadr organization in Baghdad, Basra, Hilla, Diwaniya, and Kut at the end of March. Hundreds more have been wounded. U.S. forces are bombing the militia from the air even in the densely populated area of Sadr City.
But even worse, Petraeus and Crocker didn't mention what is really happening on the ground – by supporting Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in his attacks on Sadr's Mahdi Army, the U.S. is now more deeply involved in Iraq's sectarian war.
Once again, in reporting to Congress, Gen. David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker highlighted "progress" in Iraq without discussing the price Iraqis are paying for the occupation of their country.
Reports from Iraq indicate that nearly 500 Iraqis died in the first three days of fighting against the Sadr organization in Baghdad, Basra, Hilla, Diwaniya, and Kut at the end of March. Hundreds more have been wounded. U.S. forces are bombing the militia from the air even in the densely populated area of Sadr City.
But even worse, Petraeus and Crocker didn't mention what is really happening on the ground – by supporting Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in his attacks on Sadr's Mahdi Army, the U.S. is now more deeply involved in Iraq's sectarian war.
Maliki is from the small Dawa Party, but his prime support comes from the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq (ISCI), the largest Shia party, and their militia, the Badr Organization. ISCI is closely allied with Iran. ISCI's intent has been to be the dominant force in Iraq by weakening the strong, nationalist Sadr organization and to weaken the other nationalist organization, the Fadhila. Indeed, one can see Maliki's weak position in the parliament: his ISCI party has 36 seats, while Sadr has 32 and Fadhila has 15.
Sadr, despite this aggressive move against his organization by the government of Iraq and U.S. forces, is still calling for peaceful and political means to resolve these issues. It's true that some elements of Sadr's army are criminal, but encouraging political dialogue with him has been fruitful in the past. It was through negotiation with his group that the cease-fire was created. If the fighting continues, it's likely that the Sadr cease-fire will end.
Why is this happening now?
Sadr, despite this aggressive move against his organization by the government of Iraq and U.S. forces, is still calling for peaceful and political means to resolve these issues. It's true that some elements of Sadr's army are criminal, but encouraging political dialogue with him has been fruitful in the past. It was through negotiation with his group that the cease-fire was created. If the fighting continues, it's likely that the Sadr cease-fire will end.
Why is this happening now?
posted by Kangaroo Brisbane Australia at 1:31 PM
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