Ryan Crocker explains the U.S. problem in Iraq: JAM (Jaish al-Mehdi)

[ProSense]

U.S. envoy warns of growing power of Iraqi militias

By Ross Colvin Thu Oct 25, 1:12 PM ET

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - The U.S. military has succeeded in delivering a crippling blow to al Qaeda in Iraq, but this has only served to highlight "the other big problem" -- the power of Shi'ite militias, Washington's envoy to Iraq said on Thursday.

Ambassador Ryan Crocker said the new U.S. "surge" strategy, which saw 30,000 extra troops sent to Iraq, had significantly reduced sectarian violence in Baghdad, the former al Qaeda stronghold of Anbar province and elsewhere.

"Al Qaeda in Iraq has shown extraordinary persistence but clearly their abilities have been badly damaged. In a sense that puts into highlight the other big problem, which is the militias, particularly JAM," he told journalists in Baghdad.

JAM is the acronym for the Jaish al-Mehdi, otherwise known as the Mehdi Army, the feared militia force commanded by Moqtada al-Sadr. The cleric ordered a ceasefire in August so that he could reorganize the militia, which has splintered into factions, many of which are believed to be beyond his control.

"We have seen JAM Militant transform into JAM Incorporated. They may not be shooting at us or Iraqi soldiers, but (they are) controlling gas stations, real estate, trade and services," Crocker said.

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From NO QUARTER:

Declining violence in Baghdad, for example, hides the darker news that we are witnessing the peace of the graveyard. The “improved security” is a by product of successful ethnic cleansing. The purge of Sunnis from mixed Sunni/Shia neighborhoods continues virtually unabated. Moqtada Al Sadr’s militia, working in tandem with Iraqi police, are expelling Sunnis from their homes. The following AP story tries to polish the turd but cannot hide the fact that the beat goes on:

10/25/07 AP: Baghdad Sunni teacher shot dead

A Sunni schoolteacher was seized from his car, then shot to death Thursday by suspected Shiite militia fighters, police said, a grim reminder of persistent sectarian tensions in Iraq. Ahmed al-Janabi a 45-year-old father of three…

Then there is the “other” political problem–the Shia remain in control of the key government ministries and are extending their control in that arena as well. We have seen no progress in reconciling the sectarian rift in Iraq. The only thing the Iraqi legislators are doing effectively is raiding the Iraqi police for their own personal security details. Imagine what the United States would look like if our Senators and Representatives could commandeer Federal and State police for their own personal body guards. Imagine that each member of Congress had a security detail of 50 to 60 guys.

Well, you don’t have to imagine that in Iraq. It is the reality. This will be Iraq’s version of a Blackwater scandal–security forces out of control serving the interests of legislative war lords. It is but one other sign that Iraq is devolving into a feudal rather than federal system.

Are airstrikes in Iraq reducing U.S. fatalities?

[ProSense]

1. Kick! n/t