Iraqi govt announces two-day vehicle ban in Baghdad

[Barrett808]

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - The Iraqi government announced a two-day vehicle ban in parts of Baghdad starting on Friday night as thousands of Shi'ites converged on the capital to mark the martyrdom of a revered 8th century Imam.

Some 1,000 Shi'ites were killed in a stampede during last year's ceremony after a crowd of faithful converging on the northern Kadhimiya district was panicked by rumors of a suicide bomber.

It was the highest daily death toll since the end of the U.S.-led war in 2003 to oust Saddam Hussein.

The office of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki told Reuters the ban would be enforced in about 11 districts around Kadhimiya, on both sides of the Tigris River, from 9 p.m. (1700 GMT) on Friday until 6 a.m. (0200 GMT) on Monday.

U.S. and Iraqi forces have launched a crackdown on sectarian bloodshed between majority Shi'ites and minority Sunnis in the capital that has killed thousands since February and raised fears the country is sliding toward civil war.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060818/ts_nm/iraq_baghdad_curfew_dc

Vehicles banned from Baghdad during pilgrimage
BAGHDAD (AFP) - Iraqi authorities will impose a complete ban on vehicles in Baghdad for two days ahead of a major Shiite pilgrimage, national police chief Major General Adnan Thabit said.

The ban begins at 9:00 pm (1700 GMT) on Friday.

One year ago almost 1,000 pilgrims were killed in a stampede on one of Baghdad's bridges. Thabit told AFP a security operation had been put in place to prevent any repetition of the tragedy.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060818/wl_mideast_afp/iraqunrestcurfew

[alcibiades_mystery]

1. LOL: It's because they don't have any gas

There was a story last night about all the Baghdad gas stations being out of gas, and mile long lines forming for even a gallon.

Now, a vehicle ban? Hilarious. This is truly one of the greatest clusterfucks in world history. Grok this: the Iraqis are desperately IMPORTING oil for gasoline; they have to reduce their dependence on foreign oil!

What a fucking mess.

[Barrett808]

2. Call it serendipity

The quisling government needed a vehicle ban, and coincidentally, the fuel shortage was already imposing one.

[krkaufman]

3. Yep, same thing I was thinking. Suspiciously coincidental.

[Supersedeas]

4. more signs of progress in Operation Iraqi Freedom....freedom?