Monthly Iraq death toll up 15 percent despite crackdown in March

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.khaleejtimes.ae/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=data/focusoniraq/2007/April/focusoniraq_April4.xml§ion=focusoniraq&col=

1 April 2007

BAGHDAD - The monthly death toll in Iraq rose 15 percent in March, an official revealed Sunday, as insurgents and sectarian militias continue to defy a military crackdown in Baghdad.

At least 2,078 Iraqi civilians, policemen and soldiers died nationwide, 272 more than in February, and grim news for the crackdown launched six weeks ago and billed as a last chance to wrest back control of Baghdad.

But Iraqi President Jalal Talabani still hailed progress in stemming the activities of the Mahdi Army militia of Shia cleric Moqtada Al Sadr, regarded by the US military as the most dangerous player in sectarian violence.

‘The Mahdi Army seems to be following the orders of brother Moqtada Sadr and there is no action on its part. This is a good gesture and there are no (Sunni Arab) complaints against them,’ Talabani told a news conference on Saturday.

[marmar]

1. This escalation/surge/whatever will end in dismal failure, just like the previous ones...

This madness needs to end, now.