Mehdi Army making their move...

[DeepIron]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7320302.stm
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/28/bush.basra/index.html
http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSL2884231520080329

" Haider al-Jabari, a senior Sadr official in the city of Najaf, confirmed there were orders not to surrender arms. "Sadr has told us not to surrender our arms except to a state that can throw out the [US] occupation," he told AFP news agency. It's not surprising (to me at least) that the Medhi Army militia weren't going to stay out of the fight and that they would make a stand in what is probably the most key city in Iraq...

All this following Bush's "defining moment in Iraq" cr*p...

[August]

It's not surprising (to me at least) that the Medhi Army militia weren't going to stay out of the fight and that they would make a stand in what is probably the most key city in Iraq...

All this following Bush's "defining moment in Iraq" cr*p...

Whats wrong with you? Just because Bush says the sky is blue doesn't mean you HAVE to disbelieve it y'know. :nope:

Besides, this isn't about Bush anyways, it IS a defining moment in Iraq. It is the first test of the new Iraqi government as to whether they can finally handle challenges to their authority on their own. God speed to them.

[Jimbuna]

It is the first test of the new Iraqi government as to whether they can finally handle challenges to their authority on their own. God speed to them.

I agree this will be their biggest test so far.....with probably many more to come.

[mr chris]

It is the first test of the new Iraqi government as to whether they can finally handle challenges to their authority on their own. God speed to them.
I agree this will be their biggest test so far.....with probably many more to come.
True Jim, this why we need to stay around and help the with the use of military force if the need the arises.

Update: I see on the sky news now that the UK Forces in the area have been using some Artillery to help the local Iraqi forces.

[bradclark1]

confirmed there were orders not to surrender arms. "Sadr has told us not to surrender our arms except to a state that can throw out the [US] occupation,"
This from a man who takes off for Iran the moment he thinks he's under personal threat.

[DeepIron]

These are exerpts from articles found on the 'net: (Google al Sadr)

June 2004:Shiite leaders and American officials said the armed followers of Mr. Sadr, known as the Mahdi Army, had cleared out of many parts of Najaf, and seemed to be getting ready to leave altogether. The Shiite leaders said American forces, who encircled the city in recent weeks, had also cleared out of the city center and areas near the Imam Ali Shrine, one of the holiest sites in Shiite Islam.

February 2006:Late Saturday night, on the eve of a crucial vote to choose Iraq's next prime minister, a senior Iraqi politician's cellphone rang. A supporter of the Shiite cleric Moktada al-Sadr was on the line with a threat. "He said that there's going to be a civil war among the Shia" if Sadr's preferred candidate was not confirmed, the politician said.

March 2008: Muqtada al-Sadr, the Shia leader, has called on Arab countries to support his militia's battle against "US occupation" as clashes between Shia groups and Iraqi government troops entered their fifth day.

Yep, I guess they were just not enough of a threat. al-Sadr "plays nice" while he consolidates his resources and plans his moves. If nothing else, al-Maliki should have seen this coming...

[Steel_Tomb]

I'm just worried the Iraqi government has bitten off more than it can chew... The Mehdi Army is a considerable force and not one to be underestimated, not to mention motivated and determined. The Government has already done this with their misjudgment on how long the fighting would last. If they fail to crush the rebels in the city of Basra and around Iraq, it will severely damage the Governments imagine and will/ability to enforce the law of the land. Its a defining moment in more ways than one, I just hope that they don't end up running away leaving our lads to clean up the mess.

If things started to turn sour for the Iraqi forces, would the UK bolster their forces with troops from Basra Airbase? There's a 4,500 man strong contingent based there, more than enough to do considerable damage to the Mehdi Army.

If the Government pulls this stunt off, it may well be a marked turning point in the fight against the insurgency. This is the first time the Government has stood on its own two feet and mounted a military operation against the Insurgency, I know the US & UK are supplying assets they don't have i.e. fast air and artillery... but its still a mainly Iraqi operation. God Speed to them (or should that be Allah Speed? lol :p)