Iraqi Citizens Rally In Support of al-Maliki & Military

[Frankg]

Iraqi Citizens Rally In Support of al-Maliki & Military

You won't see this make any headlines...

After the huge win (http://talismangate.blogspot.com/2008/03/intifada-that-wasnt.html) over the Shiite militias in Basra and Sadr City this week, Iraqis rallied in support of their democratically elected leader and military.
http://bp0.blogger.com/_L6pDyjqqsvY/R_UpkcRIiXI/AAAAAAAAMmU/cTNlk3eFK9g/s320/iraq1.JPG (http://bp0.blogger.com/_L6pDyjqqsvY/R_UpkcRIiXI/AAAAAAAAMmU/cTNlk3eFK9g/s1600-h/iraq1.JPG)
Demonstrators display a poster of Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki during a march in Kut, 172 km (107 miles) south of Baghdad April 3, 2008. Some 1000 protesters took to the streets of Kut supporting the recent military operations of Maliki in Basra, protesters said. (REUTERS (http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/slideshow/photo//080403/ids_photos_wl/r1857362835.jpg/)/Jaafer Aabed)

http://bp1.blogger.com/_L6pDyjqqsvY/R_UqdsRIiYI/AAAAAAAAMmc/o4a-SeH_CUE/s200/iraq2.JPG (http://bp1.blogger.com/_L6pDyjqqsvY/R_UqdsRIiYI/AAAAAAAAMmc/o4a-SeH_CUE/s1600-h/iraq2.JPG)
Iraq protesters rallied in support of Prime Minister al-Maliki in Karbala. (Reuters (http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/slideshow/photo//080402/ids_photos_wl/r226514853.jpg/))

Iraqi-American Haider Ajina sends this commentary on the situation today from family members back in Iraq:


The recent escalation in violence in Basra and some areas of Baghdad are mostly due to the government crack down on militias and criminals. Word on the Baghdad street is that former Baathist have committed atrocities then made it look as if the Mehdi militia had done it. The Baghdad streets are rife with many conspiracy theories.

What I hear from my father is, while there is escalation and unrest, Baghdad and Karbala are still substantially calmer and safer than a year ago or even last summer. Electric power in Baghdad is on over 16 hours per day (compared to 16 hours per week) and water is more available also. While the skirmishes may bring concern to observers they have shown that the Iraqi forces are holding their own and are able to defeat these elements (hence the call for cease fire by Muqtada). In Basra the unrest is also due to oil smuggling gangs sponsored by Yemen and Saudi Arabi. In our own democracy President Washington had to send 15,000 troops to deal with the Whisky Rebellion. While I do not see Iraq having a whisky rebellion there are many other difficulties a young democracy has to face to establish its footing.


Here's an even bigger win...
In Basra over 1,000 citizens decided to join the Iraqi military after the fighting.
http://bp0.blogger.com/_L6pDyjqqsvY/R_UntcRIiWI/AAAAAAAAMmM/mk9uwkhP9BQ/s320/basra2.JPG (http://bp0.blogger.com/_L6pDyjqqsvY/R_UntcRIiWI/AAAAAAAAMmM/mk9uwkhP9BQ/s1600-h/basra2.JPG)
Iraqi army applicants wait outside the army's recruitment center in Basra some 550 kilometers (about 340 miles) south of Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, April 1, 2008. About 1000 men from the southern region gathered at the recruitment center to apply to become government soldiers. (AP Photo/Nabil al-Jurani (http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/slideshow/photo//080401/481/2af46f11ee0945d2997e1cdd0677b0b0/))

http://bp2.blogger.com/_L6pDyjqqsvY/R_Um28RIiVI/AAAAAAAAMmE/1fe10INyC9g/s320/basra.JPG (http://bp2.blogger.com/_L6pDyjqqsvY/R_Um28RIiVI/AAAAAAAAMmE/1fe10INyC9g/s1600-h/basra.JPG)
Iraqi army applicants walk to the army recruitment centre in Basra, 340 miles south of Baghdad April 1, 2008. (Atef Hassan/Reuters (http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/slideshow/photo//080402/photos_wl/2008_04_01t064049_450x313_us_iraq/))
http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2008/04/iraqi-citizens-rally-in-support-of-al.html

[MarcusT3355]

Sounds good... so can we bring our troops home now?

[LadyMod at scam.com]

Sounds good... so can we bring our troops home now?

Good question. It certainly appears that they are ready to take over policing their own country doesn't it?


;)

[Smurf-Herder]

No, we can't bring them home now.

And even when we "bring them home", it will only be around half. The rest will be there for support, training; and rapid response and strike units. We have a long-term commitment, just like Kuwait and Bahrain. We have to get their airforce up to speed, on top of everything else.

We can't just run away as fast as we can. Even Biden understands that - and so does Hillary, even though she's lying through her teeth.

[Bill]

That's true, the price americans will pay has just begun.

We're going to be paying for this for decades to come.

As well we deserve.

[bigfootzx]

We can scale back and let the locals police the streets. I feel some insurgents will not be so willing to fight their own countrymen. Fighting religeous factions may remain, but as Iraqi citizens enter the fight in larger numbers many will lose thier will to fight.

Some Iraqis will always hate the invasion, but now they have something Saddam took from them, things will slowly get better. Good to know they have electricity and water more than before. Not all areas are so lucky, yet.

Cut and run is not an option, even Obama has said 1 to 2 years, which is believeable. But there will be support occupation far beyond 2 years. Otherwise if the country destabalizes then more will die and our soliders will have died for nothing. No politician wants to go back a 3rd time. People have to see thru the politcal rhetoric during election time.

[MarcusT3355]

We can scale back and let the locals police the streets. I feel some insurgents will not be so willing to fight their own countrymen. Fighting religeous factions may remain, but as Iraqi citizens enter the fight in larger numbers many will lose thier will to fight.

Some Iraqis will always hate the invasion, but now they have something Saddam took from them, things will slowly get better. Good to know they have electricity and water more than before. Not all areas are so lucky, yet.

Cut and run is not an option, even Obama has said 1 to 2 years, which is believeable. But there will be support occupation far beyond 2 years. Otherwise if the country destabalizes then more will die and our soliders will have died for nothing. No politician wants to go back a 3rd time. People have to see thru the political rhetoric during election time.

I think both democratic canidates have said a phased withdrawal, and that we'd need to keep forces in the region to watch out for our interest. The right is yet to lay out a plan, or if the democrats withdrawal plans are "cut and running" then what is our end game. All I've heard is we will stay until the job is done, or until we win, or until some other non-specific event. Right now all we are doing now is providing recruiting material for Al Qaeda.

[Moby]

The only people that have used the phrase "cut and run" are the Neoconservative, the media and the mindless followers.

Now that Bush gave into OBL's demands and removed all our forces from Saudi Arabia, Iraq is the only place left. Our troops will be there when my 4 year old goes off to college. I understood that in 2003. I can't comprehend the idiocy of thinking that we can actually win or remove troops.

[bigfootzx]

I think both democratic canidates have said a phased withdrawal, and that we'd need to keep forces in the region to watch out for our interest. The right is yet to lay out a plan, or if the democrats withdrawal plans are "cut and running" then what is our end game. All I've heard is we will stay until the job is done, or until we win, or until some other non-specific event. Right now all we are doing now is providing recruiting material for Al Qaeda.

I've read that too, phase but nothing specific, right now candidates get briefings, but by Jan 20th they may up or lower the numbers depending
on attacks. I have no problem with bringing home 30% to 40% the first
year. Iraqi's want to participate and clean up the streets, that's good news!!!

Part of the right's plan is long term that will also serve the purpose of future wars. Iraq would become a staging ground to build forces and maybe even launch air attacks against Iran or Syria, etc...... The Japan occupation allowed staging for the Korean an Vietnam wars from the pacific side.

[Smurf-Herder]

The only people that have used the phrase "cut and run" are the Neoconservative, the media and the mindless followers.

Now that Bush gave into OBL's demands and removed all our forces from Saudi Arabia, Iraq is the only place left. Our troops will be there when my 4 year old goes off to college. I understood that in 2003. I can't comprehend the idiocy of thinking that we can actually win or remove troops.

SM, we have a huge Army Base in Kuwait. We have Air Force Bases in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates; and our Fifth Fleet's Home Base is in Bahrain. Iraq is now one of those nodes in our regional network of bases of operation.

[Moby]

Part of the right's plan is long term that will also serve the purpose of future wars. Iraq would become a staging ground to build forces and maybe even launch air attacks against Iran or Syria, etc...... The Japan occupation allowed staging for the Korean an Vietnam wars from the pacific side.
At least someone reads the PNAC white papers :)