Iraq Blow-up Round-up and Come to Basra Britain....

[Solly Mack]

First this

Militiamen holding out in Basra fighting


"Iraq's prime minister warned gunmen in the oil port of Basra to surrender their weapons by Friday or face harsher measures, as clashes between security forces and Shiite militia fighters spread throughout the south and in Baghdad

Al-Maliki, a Shiite, remained in Basra to supervise a crackdown against the spiraling violence between militia factions vying for control of the center of Iraq's vast oil industry, located near the Iranian border. The events threatened to unravel a Mahdi Army cease-fire and spark a dramatic escalation in violence after a monthslong period of relative calm."


LBN by maddezmom



Now this

Pentagon says new Iraq fighting arises from surge's success

The Pentagon on Wednesday said an eruption of violence in southern Iraq, where US-backed government forces were battling Shiite militias, was a "by-product of the success of the surge."


Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell said it showed that the Iraqi government and security forces were now confident enough to take the initiative against Shiite extremists in the southern port of Basra.


LBN by sabra


And now this


Moqtada al-Sadr orders Iraq PM out of Basra

"The Iraqi cleric Moqtada al-Sadr has demanded that the country's prime minister leave Basra where he is overseeing a military operation to purge the southern city of its radical Shi'ite militiamen."


LBN by bemildred





Then there's this

March 26

Moqtada al-Sadr orders Iraq PM out of Basra


"The latest round of fighting prompted a call from one of America's most respected retired officers, General Jack Keane, for British forces to reconsider their withdrawal from the city.

The general, architect of America's "surge" policy in Iraq, has said Britain must do more to fight Iranian-backed gangs in Basra.

"The security situation is worsening," he told the BBC's Today programme.

"It is a myth to say that this is just a political problem. We must maintain security and stability in Basra and the surrounding provinces, which we do not have today." "



and 3 days earlier on March 23

US wants Britain to lead 'surge' in southern Iraq

"The US plans to urge Britain to launch a "surge" in Basra to combat increasing violence in the southern Iraqi region, the Sunday Mirror newspaper reported.

It quoted an unnamed senior US military source saying: "Three big militias are currently engaged in a particularly bloody battle in southern Iraq.

"US and Iraqi forces are involved in a huge operation to attack an Al-Qaeda stronghold in Mosul.

"But after that, the plan is to turn the coalition's attention on to Basra and we will be urging the British to surge into the city."

LBN by Barrett808

[babylonsister]

1. It's going swell, isn't it. Someone needs to alert McCain. Rec'd. nt

[Solly Mack]

2. He would just quote Bush...more violence means success!

[angstlessk]

5. it's them 'dead enders' I tell ya! or in other words "SO?"

[tekisui]

3. And the cycle of violence renews.....

"US and Iraqi forces are involved in a huge operation to attack an Al-Qaeda stronghold in Mosul.

"But after that, the plan is to turn the coalition's attention on to Basra and we will be urging the British to surge into the city."



After that??? I'm sure they will enter a holding pattern and give us time to end the "huge operation" in Mosul.

I've said it since McSame became the goppers pick: John Dubya McSame owns Iraq's "success" in Feb., he will own Iraq's cycle of violence this Summer and Fall. He was stoopid to put his eggs in a successful Iraq basket.

[Solly Mack]

4. I thought the "urging" of Britain interesting

and Keane's ("architect" of surge )remark..."It is a myth to say that this is just a political problem. We must maintain security and stability in Basra and the surrounding provinces, which we do not have today."

Recalling how "there's no military solution to Iraq...it needs a political one" is the often repeated talking point right now

[jimshoes]

6. Isn't this about the time some high level admin hack

comes out and tells us that the "surge" is working, it has always worked, there has never been a time when it hasn't worked and george w putz is just the smartest prezidunce ever?

[Solly Mack]

8. The Pentagon said just that

as usual...escalating violence means success

[spanone]

7. K&R