Basra's Wary Rebirth / In Sadr City, U.S. Mission Shifts From Urban Warfare to Reconstruction

[BobbyVan]

Sunday Washington Post today

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/31/AR2008053100971.html

Two months after the Iraqi government ordered its fledgling military to root out the religious militias here in Iraq's third-largest city, Basra is beginning to awaken from a four-year dormancy. A recent week-long visit that included several dozen interviews revealed that many of the city's nearly 3 million residents are resuming lives that had been interrupted by an austere interpretation of Islam.

But their new freedom in this historically cosmopolitan city near the head of the Persian Gulf comes with boundaries drawn by fear of the future. The root cause of their previous grievances -- well-armed militias fighting for power and economic resources -- continue to exert influence over day-to-day life.

For now, though, a collective sense of relief is washing over this sprawling port city, which sits at the confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.

On this day, Zaki embraced the forbidden. He walked to an organ and played "Listen to Your Heart" by the 1980s Swedish pop band Roxette. He then swung into a medley of Western and Arab tunes, as Jawad, 23, watched adoringly.

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/31/AR2008053102056.html

BAGHDAD, May 31 -- A little over two weeks ago, U.S. troops in Sadr City were on the front lines of fierce, unrelenting urban warfare. But virtually overnight, their main mission has become one of rebuilding portions of the vast, tattered Shiite district and building trust in neighborhoods where many residents despise Americans.

Reaching that point took a fragile cease-fire agreement that called for a limited U.S. role in military operations in Sadr City, a stronghold of militias loyal to anti-American cleric Moqtada al-Sadr; thousands of Iraqi soldiers; and wads of cash.

"If we get Sadr City right and create irreversible momentum, there's no turning back," Brig. Gen. Mike Milano, deputy commander of U.S. forces responsible for Baghdad, said Saturday during a visit to Sadr City.

Restoring order in Sadr City, home to roughly 2 million people, is the U.S. military's top priority in the Iraqi capital. When thousands of Iraqi troops were deployed to the district two weeks ago, meeting virtually no opposition and prompting scores of militia leaders to leave the city or go underground, U.S. officials saw an opportunity to weaken the influence of Sadr and militia leaders.

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Excellent news - peace is coming to Iraq. Can we get out now?

[UTUSN]

1. Did Judith MILLER get a new job?!1 n/t

[alfredo]

2. No, we have some 95 years left.