Chaos reigns in Sadr City despite changes

[bemildred]

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - Since the guns fell silent in Sadr City last November, Baghdad's sprawling Shiite district has been the safest place in the Iraqi capital - no car bombings, no suicide attacks, roadside bombs or assassinations.

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Al-Sadr's office is a magnet for residents seeking financial assistance or counseling on religious and family matters. During one recent day, scores of chador-clad women gathered at the office, a sparsely furnished building with rickety ceiling fans. They were there to collect stipends paid to families of militiamen killed or wounded while fighting the Americans.

Last week the Sadrists, who burst on the political scene soon after Saddam's ouster and now rival established Shiite parties, staged a colorful parade in Sadr City in memory of al-Mahdi militiamen killed in last year's fighting.

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A mock battle between U.S. soldiers - eight Iraqis in camouflage fatigues, sunglasses and bandanas - and Iraqis, was well received by the several hundred people who gathered to watch the parade on a blistering afternoon. The scene ended with a woman in Islamic dress killing five of the soldiers and capturing three while chanting Allahu Akbar, or God is Great.

NewsObserver

[vogonjiltz]

1. The sad thing is that these are the people most disposed

to be friendly to us. Not that that is saying much. We should has stayed out of Dodge.

[Barrett808]

2. "To a hearty round of applause, she set ablaze an American flag."

What an unbelievable clusterf*ck.