Hundreds flee fighting in Baghdad as showdown between government, militias looms

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/world/iraq/20080407-1449-iraq.html

By Robert H. Reid
ASSOCIATED PRESS

2:49 p.m. April 7, 2008

BAGHDAD – Hundreds of people fled fighting in Baghdad's Shiite militia stronghold Monday as U.S. and Iraqi forces increased pressure on anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, who faces an ultimatum to either disband his Mahdi Army or give up politics.

Al-Sadr's aides said he would only dismantle the powerful militia if ordered by top Shiite clerics – who have remained silent throughout the increasingly dangerous showdown.

Although al-Sadr holds considerable influence through the Madhi fighters – estimated at up to 60,000 – political exile for his movement would shatter his dream of becoming the major power broker among the country's Shiite majority.
Gunbattles raged around the sprawling Sadr City district that serves as the Baghdad nerve center of the Mahdi militia, which has been under siege since last week by about 1,000 U.S. and Iraqi troops.

Police said at least 14 civilians were killed in clashes Monday in the Baghdad area, nine of them in Sadr City. Frightened families poured out of Sadr City – some carrying their belongings in sacks or piled in pushcarts.

Three American soldiers were killed Monday in separate attacks in the capital – one by small arms fire and two others by a rocket-propelled grenade, the U.S. said without specifying the neighborhood or whether Shiite extremists were responsible. At least 10 U.S. soldiers have died in Iraq since Sunday.

[0007]

1. Is this the kick-off to the civil war we've all anticipated?

I think so!!

And Carlson Tucker should join the Marines along with Bill O'Reilly.

[kentuck]

2. What does this mean ??

Is the shit about to hit the fan?