Disbanded Militia Group Reappears in Iraq

[NNN0LHI]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20030906/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq&cid=540&ncid=1480

NAJAF, Iraq - An Islamic militia disbanded by the United States has emerged with weapons and in uniform in Iraq's holiest Shiite Muslim city, a sign Najaf could become a new flash point in the aftermath of a key cleric's assassination.

Meanwhile, U.S. Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld continued his inspection tour of the country Saturday, traveling to the ancient city of Babylon.

The Badr Brigade — the armed wing of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq — was disarmed on U.S. orders shortly after the fall of Baghdad five months ago. Its defiant reappearance takes on particular significance because its new leader also sits on the U.S.-picked Iraqi Governing Council.

Abdel-Aziz al-Hakim took over the leadership of the Supreme Council after his brother, Ayatollah Mohammed Baqir al-Hakim, was killed in a massive car bombing of the Imam Ali Mosque in Najaf.

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[Gin]

1. They re-appeared "armed" also......the troops have moved further back

from the heart of the city...to me..it seems like a perfect place for this militia to expand and re-group.

This is a bad omen for our guys and gals.

[NNN0LHI]

2. Very bad. It proves that our military can be intimidated

If we don't leave now I hate to think about what is in store for any US soldier there. The US is no longer in control of a country they are occupying.

Don

[Maple]

4. The US hasn't been

in control there from day one...just like the officer they chose to dub 'comical Ali' told them.

[pfitz59]

3. Urban warfare..........

Can you say Mogadishu? Beirut?