Militia Move Around City of Nassiriyah

[NNN0LHI]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040514/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_nassiriyah&cid=540&ncid=1480

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Militiamen pushed their way into the governor's office in the southern city of Nassiriyah on Friday, moving through the streets near a hotel, a main bridge and police stations, the U.S.-led coalition said.


The tense situation in Nassiriyah developed after daylong fighting in the holy city of Najaf between American force and members of a militia loyal to radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr.


Officials of the U.S.-led Coalition Provisional Authority said there were reports of a scuffle at the governor's office, and that a security guard there was slightly injured.

more...Anyone notice that we do not hear about the Sunni Triange anymore?

[pinto]

1. remember when "disgruntled former Ba'athists" were the enemy? n/t

[NNN0LHI]

2. I think the Ba'athists are our friends now n/t

[Teaser]

3. Deaths are continuing apace in the Sunni Triangle

Don't be fooled. We just lost a soldier in Fallujah yesterday to the dreaded IED.

[DivinBreuvage]

4. Am I confused about this handful of al-Sadr thugs?

I distinctly recall reading a few threads posted in April stating that the al-Sadr militia had taken over the government buildings in two or three cities. I never read that the cities were reclaimed by the coalition, something that would surely have gotten play on the local morning propaganda if nothing else.

Did I miss something? Or are those cities still largely off limits to the coalition?

[mike1963]

5. They are being watched. Through heavy lenses.

(A VERY old Jonathan Winters reference) ;-)

[markses]

6. That's Italian territory now

The I MEF was stationed in Nassiriyah until the were withdrawn (in September?) before being redeployed to al-Anbar province. The Italians have 3,500 troops in the area of Nassiriyah.

Can Berlusconi hang on if it turns into daily firefights? One can only guess.