McClatchy: Is 'success' of U.S. surge in Iraq about to unravel?

[babylonsister]

Is 'success' of U.S. surge in Iraq about to unravel?
By Leila Fadel and Nancy A. Youssef | McClatchy Newspapers

* Posted on Monday, March 24, 2008



BAGHDAD — A cease-fire critical to the improved security situation in Iraq appeared to unravel Monday when a militia loyal to radical Shiite Muslim cleric Muqtada al Sadr began shutting down neighborhoods in west Baghdad and issuing demands of the central government.

Simultaneously, in the strategic southern port city of Basra, where Sadr's Mahdi militia is in control, the Iraqi government launched a crackdown in the face of warnings by Sadr's followers that they'll fight government forces if any Sadrists are detained. By 1 a.m. Arab satellite news channels reported clashes between the Mahdi Army and police in Basra.

The freeze on offensive activity by Sadr's Mahdi Army has been a major factor behind the recent drop in violence in Iraq, and there were fears that the confrontation that's erupted in Baghdad and Basra could end the lull in attacks, assassinations, kidnappings and bombings.

As the U.S. military recorded its 4,000th death in Iraq, U.S. officials in Baghdad warned again Monday that drawing down troops too quickly could collapse Iraq's fragile security situation.

Pentagon officials said that military leaders are watching for any signs of backsliding as they consider whether to keep drawing down troops below pre-surge levels.

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http://www.mcclatchydc.com/homepage/story/31527.html

[whistle]

1. What success?

[babylonsister]

2. I believe that's why the word 'success' was emphasized; the writer

agrees, as do I.

[L. Coyote]

3. Yeah, and since when do surges last a year? That alone is a failure. Bush Fails Again!

No surprise. Military occupation of another nation cannot go well.

[NNN0LHI]

4. Lets face it. The Iraqis know another Rethug president guarantees permanent US military occupation

And poll after poll shows the majority of Iraqi people want us to leave. Can't blame them for that. We haven't been what you would call great stewards of the peace there. And goofy McCain is saying he wants to stay there forever regardless of the cost in deaths and money.

If I were an Iraqi I couldn't sleep at night worrying I might get caught up in a "surgical" US air strike "rooting" out the next group of Iraqi people and their families we label "terrorists" because they don't like living under US occupation who may be my next door neighbor.

Don