U.S. could face a showdown with al-Sadr

[rodeodance]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060726/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_sadr_showdown_2;_ylt=AvlEhJ047XHyMon6u8o.p5OtOrgF;_ylu=X3oDMTA2ZGZwam4yBHNlYwNmYw--

U.S. could face a showdown with al-Sadr

By ROBERT H. REID, Associated Press Writer 9 minutes ago

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Putting more U.S. soldiers in the streets of Baghdad risks a new showdown with a radical anti-American cleric who has modeled his movement after Lebanon's Hezbollah guerrillas.


Muqtada al-Sadr's Mahdi Army has re-emerged as a key force in the majority Shiite community after suffering substantial losses during two uprisings against the U.S. military in 2004. Sunni Arabs believe the militia is responsible for kidnapping and killing thousands of Sunnis since the Feb. 22 bombing of a Shiite shrine.

Al-Sadr's black-clad followers insist they simply protect Shiite communities that have suffered horrific losses at the hands of Sunni insurgents and religious extremists such as al-Qaida in
Iraq since the collapse of
Saddam Hussein's Sunni-dominated regime in 2003.

Whatever the truth, there is no way to restore order in Baghdad without dealing with al-Sadr and his followers — believed to be the largest and most active Shiite militia in Iraq.

[bemildred]

1. That would be an amazingly stupid thing to do. nt

[Solo_in_MD]

2. Which was convincing proof of the need for urban scout/snipers

Muqtada al-Sadr's Mahdi Army has re-emerged as a key force in the majority Shiite community after suffering substantial losses during two uprisings against the U.S. military in 2004.

As a practical matter, I have to wonder if urban patrols with snipers in overwatch positions would not cure most of the sectarian hostilities.

[maxsolomon]

3. about 3 years too late

maybe just after the invasion they could have 'accidentally' killed what was obviously going to be a major problem. his militia is armed to the teeth & Al Sadr is unreachable without killing thousands of innocents & levelling Shiite neighborhoods.

utterly predictable.

[Nimrod2005]

4. Yes they will, of course and Al Sadr people would never let the actual

Iraqi police in their areas either...

[ECH1969]

5. The Madhi Army doesn't take shit from anyone

[Roland99]

6. And if he's taken out then it will be someone else. Domino Theory 2.0?