Iraqi Official Warns Against Coup Attempt

[ECH1969]

Shiite Muslim political leader said Friday that rumors were circulating of an impending coup attempt against the government of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and warned that "we will not allow it."

The U.S. military provided more information about a clash with Shiite militiamen on Sunday in Musayyib, about 40 miles south of Baghdad. U.S. troops, along with Iraqi soldiers and police, killed 33 insurgents in the day-long battle, the U.S. military said in a statement. The U.S. troops came under gunfire and "rocket-propelled attack" when they entered the downtown area and responded with the assistance of Apache helicopters and Abrams tanks.

"Thugs and criminals tried to take over Musayyib, but they failed because the Iraqi army and police are unbeatable when they work together," Col. John Tully, commander of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, said in the statement.

In a sermon at the Fatimy mosque in Najaf, Sadr al-Din al-Qubanchi also spoke about coup rumors. "We should go on with the political process in building a new Iraq," the preacher said, "and there is no space for thinking about a national salvation government or a military or a political coup."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/28/AR2006072801746.html

[TomInTib]

1. Whoah!! File this under 'Smoke - Fire' category.

This one bears watching.

[bronxiteforever]

2. also 4 marines killed thursday

buried in the article -good post

[daleo]

3. Iraq version of Tet seems to be drawing nearer

I know, technically the Viet Cong lost "Tet". Technically...

[ECH1969]

5. I think they are talking about an internal coup

Either the pro-Iranian Shia in the government led by Sadr or the pro-Baathist Sunnis are thinking about overthrowing the government.

[daleo]

10. The Viet Nam war had coup or two as well

One Viet Namese president was assassinated as I recall. Not long after, President Kennedy was assassinated. Things that make you wonder.

[jimshoes]

6. Or possibly

our Dunkirk. I know 135,000 seems like a lot, but against almost everyone in Baghdad,? If the US loses the Green Zone, then what?

[hang a left]

4. Could be the reason for the extra deployments and

the cancelation of troops returning home.

[FloridaPat]

7. Is this a real gov't yet? I know it's a puppet gov't, but is it real

enough legally? A coup? You think?? Or just another takeover?

[MrPrax]

8. US can't even prevent a coup?

The US must be orchestrating it or the US mission there must be in trouble.

The irony is that Saddam came to power in a coup...he might have been approached by the western intelligence as early as his days in exile in Cairo. Maybe this is the plan now -- install another puppet or "Saddam's Iraq without Saddam".

Or admit utter failure and simply leave...

[creeksneakers2]

9. He's also advocating great autonomy for the Shi'ite

portion of Iraq. Another step toward the breakup of the country.