Sadrists Under Siege, Both Militarily and Politically

by Dave Price

A U.S. helicopter fired a Hellfire missile during fighting in a Shiite militia stronghold of Baghdad Friday, killing at least four people as deadly clashes broke out in Iraq’s oil-rich south for the fourth day.

American jets also dropped bombs overnight in Basra in the first use of U.S. air power in the southern oil port since the Iraqi government launched a crackdown against Shiite militias there earlier this week.

Things may get serious tomorrow with the end of the 72-hour deadline.

And this is interesting:

In political developments, the main Shiite bloc in parliament said it would not attend an emergency session called for Friday to find ways to end fighting between government forces and militiamen in southern Iraq.

Deputy parliamentary speaker Khalid al-Attiyah, also a member of the United Iraqi Alliance, said the events in the south are a law and order issue, not legislative.

The bloc has been in contact with its Kurdish allies for them to boycott Friday’s session too, which would prevent a quorum, he said.

It’s hard to be entirely sure, but that sounds like they don’t want to intervene because they have no sympathy for the Sadrists. Iraqi pols are apparently happy to see Sadr’s goons under attack.

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13 comments

1 CosmicConservative { 03.28.08 at 11:05 am }: Well, get ready for it. All you will hear for the next week or so from the media is how this is evidence that the surge was for naught, Iraq is irretrievable, we’re killing more innocent people and all we will end up with is a bigger, more menacing Lebanon of the 80’s. It’s already started.

CosmicConservative’s last blog post..Yep, that’s me, the old ?Flat-earther??
2 Snippet { 03.28.08 at 11:59 am }: One of my conerns is that the BEST
3 Snippet { 03.28.08 at 12:02 pm }: Oh, nice, Snippet.

Real smooth…

OK, One more time.

One of my concerns is that the BEST outcome that is within the realm of the possible is, basically, Hussein II. How do you peacefully rule over people who think Sadr is some sort of savior, and who carry huge pictures of him around?

Then there are the crazies…

It will be interesting to see how this turns out. Not off to a great start.
4 CosmicConservative { 03.28.08 at 12:26 pm }: Snippet: With that sort of cynical pessimistic view of Iraq, I think you have a lucrative career ahead of you in media consulting.

CosmicConservative’s last blog post..Fitna?
5 zach { 03.28.08 at 12:53 pm }: Snippet,

Sadr himself has urged for a “political solution” to the problem. Though I suppose one could call his being crowned king a “political solution.”
6 Dave Price { 03.28.08 at 12:54 pm }: One of my concerns is that the BEST outcome that is within the realm of the possible is, basically, Hussein II.

No, that’s the worst possible outcome. Hussein killed 2 million people and put Iraq through five wars.

The best possible outcome is a continuing liberalization, moderation, and economic growth, something like S Korea.
7 Dave Price { 03.28.08 at 12:54 pm }: Which, lets remember, starting out being ruled by a pretty brutal autocrat.
8 Dave Price { 03.28.08 at 12:56 pm }: As the standard of living and income rose considerably in the late 1980s, nationwide demonstrations led to the collapse of the authoritarian government in 1987, and direct and fair elections have been held every 5 years thereafter. Today, South Korea is an established pioneer of stable democracy in Asia, with South Korean citizens enjoying one of the highest level of political freedom and social rights in Asia.[3]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_korea

See what U.S. influence can do?
9 Snippet { 03.28.08 at 1:33 pm }: Dave,

I do see what U.S. influence COULD do at one time, in certain places.

Times change.

Also, while I’m not yet certain of it, it is entirely possible that democracy has reached its high water mark, and whoever hasn’t chosen to embrace it at this point in history is like a 40-year old living with mom - a hopeless case.

When I said, “Best Case,” I meant best POSSIBLE.
10 Martin L. Shoemaker { 03.28.08 at 1:41 pm }: When I said, “Best Case,” I meant best POSSIBLE.

In your narrow view of what’s possible, absolutely the best.
11 Dean Esmay { 03.28.08 at 3:51 pm }: Democracy has been spreading steadily for over a century. Time after time when democratic activists have tried to establish democracy in the Balkans, in Japan, in Germany, in Eastern Europe, in South Korea, in South Africa, and place after place, there have been those who claim that these cultures and societies simply aren’t ready for it, or that they are even culturally incapable of it.

They’re wrong most of the time. But they never seem to notice.

It’s laughable. Al-Sadr is in full flight retreat, and this is evidence that Saddam II is “the best” that Iraq can aspire to? You’re joking, right Snippet?
12 Dishman { 03.28.08 at 4:05 pm }: Dean,

unfortunately some people really do see things that way.

I believe the appropriate concept is “confirmation bias”.
13 Sadr’s Triumphant Surrender — Dean’s World { 03.31.08 at 4:07 pm }: […] The same Iraqi politicians who were so opposed to Sadr they boycotted talks aimed at a peaceful resolution, calling it a “law and order” issue, thus preventing a quorum? and that he is in the […]