American troops, Iraqis prepare as time for massive march nears

[unhappycamper]

American troops, Iraqis prepare as time for massive march nears
By James Warden, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Wednesday, April 9, 2008

BAGHDAD — Sgt. 1st Class Robert George really could have used a crane.

George and his soldiers were readying for battle in the Hurriyah area of Baghdad. Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr had asked a million of his followers to march from Baghdad to Najaf on Wednesday. It was supposed to be peaceful, but there was heavy fighting at the end of March and sporadic fighting in the capital this weekend. But late Tuesday, al-Sadr called off the march, after hundreds of his followers in areas south of Baghdad complained that Iraqi security forces were keeping them away.

Iraqi and U.S. forces had fortified Baghdad in anticipation of the march. Iraqi army Sgt. Jasim Hamadi, a checkpoint commander, had wanted more concrete barriers before any fighting started. George had the barriers; he needed a crane to move them into position. But soldiers with the 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment had no luck rounding one up.

Hamadi said that it was not his soldiers’ will to fight that worried him. They did well during the last round. He’s confident in their ability should al-Sadr’s Mahdi Army decide to attack again.

“I want to (expletive) Muqtada — but I need concrete,” Hamadi concluded.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=53924

[annabanana]

1. The march ought to be underway by now.. any news?. . . n/t

[unhappycamper]

2. Not yet - I'm still going thru the military rags. n/t

[unhappycamper]

3. al-Sadr cancelled the march.

http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSL0868160620080408