Mahdi Army Commanders Told 'Not to Resist' U.S. Troops

[Dirty Hippie]

Mods...

This article was translated from Arabic. Please excuse if over 12 hours (translation takes time).

...

As part of a strategy to preserve their weapons and power in preparation for the post-U.S. era, the commanders had orders not to resist American forces.

Al-Sadr, who is the Mahdi Army's top commander, is reported to have instructed the militias to behave in a manner that will not lead to the loss of, "even a single Mahdi Army member."

Analysts say that Al-Sadr is keen to remain a force to reckon with after U.S. troops withdraw; something that he believes could take place by the end of this year.

...

So they figure all they have to do is wait us out.

http://www.watchingamerica.com/azzaman000118.shtml

[Howardx]

1. ahhhh

no resistance from the mahdi army makes it look like the surge was completely successful, we declare victory pull out and out comes the mahdi army again completely intact.

[bahrbearian]

6. But we still won't leave until after the 2008 elections

make to it look like the Dems fuck up

[bushisdirt]

9. Exactly!

[jpak]

2. I believe the phrase is "Rope A Dope"

n/t

[papau]

10. Was there ever a "gurrilla war plan" that did not include "wait until US leaves" before going all

out against the others in the country? Don't think so.

Bush pushing/threatening to get Iraq Shia to compromise so as to get a political solution is not going to happen.

This is following the Vietnam pattern - sadly.

[Botany]

3. Bingo .....

.... just like Vietnam sooner or later we will have to leave.

And also not unlike Vietnam which towards the late 1960s
and earlier 1970s we are being told that outside influences
are the real problem not the fact that WE ARE WHERE WE SHOULD
NOT BE.

Although I expect bush to keep his fingers around that Iraqi
crude as much as he can.

[roamer65]

4. The wildcard is the attack on Iran.

What will Al-Sadr do in that case? That's the 64K question.

[scarletwoman]

5. Al Sadr is NOT allied to Iran. SCIRI and DAWA are. Al Sadr is an Iraq nationalist.

Al Sadr would benefit from a weakened SCIRI and DAWA. It would help consolidate his position as a leader of Iraqi Shias.

sw

[leftchick]

8. thank you for clearing that up sw

imagine how the dynamics change if the Saudis send in fighters like they claim they will. :scared:

[leftchick]

7. who could have predicted?

:eyes: