Iraqi Militias Seen Spinning Out of Control: Leaders' authority doubted

[DeepModem Mom]

LAT: Iraqi Militias Seen as Spinning Out of Control
Growing extremism among splintering groups and recent clashes have cast doubt on paramilitary leaders' authority over fighters.
By Solomon Moore, Times Staff Writer
September 12, 2006

BAGHDAD — As U.S. and Iraqi officials seek a way to disarm Shiite militias involved in the sectarian violence driving Iraq toward civil war, the paramilitary forces are splintering into more extreme groups that militia leaders say they are powerless to control.

U.S. officials had hoped that an ongoing military sweep in the capital would curtail the Sunni Arab insurgency and convince the Shiite Muslim militias — armed partisan brigades that guard neighborhoods, mosques and political offices — that they could leave security to the Iraqi government.

"I think when the people begin to feel more confidence in their security forces, they'll feel less need to rely on the militias," Army Gen. George W. Casey Jr., the top U.S. commander in Iraq, said during a recent news conference.

But a series of devastating paramilitary strikes against Shiite neighborhoods has eroded early gains attributed to the security sweep and severely undermined U.S. arguments for disarming militias.

Recent violent clashes pitting Shiite paramilitary fighters against Iraqi and U.S. troops, and against rival Shiite forces, also have cast doubts on militia leaders' ability to rein in their fighters even if they choose to do so....

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-militias12sep12,0,3853144.story?coll=la-home-world

[rodeodance]

1. "U.S. officials had hoped......" This hope is wearing thin!

[acmavm]

2. I've wasted a lot of time hoping for things. I have a feeling that's

exactly what the US military is doing now in Iraq.

[ConcernedCanuk]

3. PNACers learned NOTHING from Vietnam - NOTHING!!!

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When you invade a sovereign nation - eventually even the mildest citizen will grow to hate you as you slaughter their loved ones . . .

Of course, if you can manage to slaughter them ALL

No problem

I guess the tons of Depleted Uranium being spread around with them illegal US munitions will help out on that score.

(sigh)