Coalition Evacuates HQ in Nasiriyah

[NNN0LHI]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040516/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_italians&cid=540&ncid=1473

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Most of the civilian staff of the U.S.-led coalition was evacuated from their headquarters in the southern city of Nasiriyah because of growing threats from Muqtada al-Sadr's militiamen, a coalition official said Sunday.

The official, Andrea Angeli, said only two civilians remain in the coalition headquarters, which was attacked Friday by al-Sadr militiamen. Coalition forces regained control of the building before dawn Saturday.


The rest of the 10-member staff was evacuated Saturday afternoon to the coalition military base six miles out of town, Angeli said.


He said there was more gunfire near the building Sunday and that mortars and rocket-propelled grenades were fired by militiamen in the area the night before.

more...For there being only 500 to 1000 followers of Sadr they sure seem to get around.

[VolcanoJen]

1. We keep threatening to "bring al-Sadr to justice."

So, why haven't we? Why don't they just go in and get 'im? What in hell are they waiting for?

Krazy Kimmitt: "We don't want to be too aggressive... we might invite insurgent attacks." (yes, I made that up, but I imagine that's his rationale.)

OK... because they're sure not attacking us... guess they're just waiting until you nab al-Sadr, eh?

The occupation is a joke, isn't it? A cruel joke, a wicked dream that we'll awake from any moment... right?

[MichaelUK]

2. We'll stay as long as Bush needs a base in the Middle East

The problem is that it's all interwined with the Israel-Palistine thing...sorry, occupation. The "West" has to look like it's doing something. The UK has a base on Cyprus and Europe can move troops in through Greece and potentially Turkey. But the US has nothing in the region since they pulled out of Saudi Arabia (and, lets face it, Saudi Arabia isn't the best place to have US troops, is it?).

So, the US moves into Iraq (for oil and to remove Saddam). And now the US has realised that there's one hell of a mess that needs clearing up. And for some reason, they are trying to clear it up themselves and turn it into a Mc-USA (TM).

So, until the US realises the only way to deal with the situation is to bugger off and let the Iraqis reconstruct their own country, we're there for the long haul.

[Cooley Hurd]

3. Evidently, the coalition got their asses handed to them in Nasiriyah...

From Professor Juan Cole's web log:

<snip>
" Three hours of fighting overnight in Al-Nasiriyah: Italian soldiers clashed with members of the Al-Mahdi Army militia overnight in the centre of Al-Nasiriyah, AFP reported on 15th quoting an Italian military spokesman. The spokesman said the fighting lasted for three hours, but that no coalition forces were wounded . . . Italian troops returned fire against militiamen armed with Kalashnikovs and rocket-propelled grenade launchers. However, a house was destroyed and several others were damaged along with some shops. Electricity officials said power had been cut in five districts of the city. (AFP 0719 gmt 15 May 04) "
</snip>

From http://juancole.com

[teryang]

8. Excellent link!

Cole's description of the political situation is very informative.

[0007]

11. Juan Cole has it right on!

[brokensymmetry]

4. We're evacuating civilians?

Sounds like we cannot even defend our own headquarters areas anymore.

What I wonder is how secure our supply lines are. If we can't protect headquarters units, can we be certain that a general uprising won't occur - one that isolates units, prevents retreat, reinforcement, or resupply?

And if that happens, what will be the fate of our captured soldiers?

It's way past time to get out of that place. Cut, run, and don't even look back.

[NNN0LHI]

10. Just more proof we have got them on the run I guess? n/t

[Barrett808]

5. "In Iraq, we are addicted to war."

Pretty much sums it up.

[Tatiana]

6. There's 135,000 of us.

And like 4,000 of them. Yet we can't prevail.

There's a lesson to be learned somewhere in there...

[reprobate]

7. It was stated long ago. Can't remember by who.

Paraphrasing: A military force will always lose to an insurgency when the insurgency has the support of the population.

None of this bunch of idiots can remember as far back as viet nam.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

9. With 3.5 million fit for military service in Iraq, I doubt seriously...

...that the so-called "insurgency" contains only 4,000 people. Here are some facts from the CIA Factbook on Iraq:

Military manpower - availability:
males age 15-49: 6,339,458 (2003 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service:
males age 15-49: 3,541,467 (2003 est.)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually:
males: 292,930 (2003 est.)

<http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/iz.html#Military>

[Robbien]

12. When watching al Sadr giving prayer talks at mosques

One sees hundreds if not a couple of thousand young men chanting in agreement. No wonder these scenes are only shown on the BBCI.