Sadr aide shot in Baghdad, new offensive begins

[Barrett808]

Violence continued in Iraq on Saturday with several deaths reported, including a confidant of the radical Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr.

According to a report from Arabic-language broadcaster Al-Arabiya, Haithem al-Ansari was shot dead in Baghdad by unknown gunmen Saturday.

In further violence, two Iraqis died in an explosion on a highway south of Baghdad, and a policeman was murdered on his to work in the northern city of Kirkuk.

Also Saturday, extremists broadcast a video on the internet of the execution of five Iraqi national guardsmen.

(more)

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle.asp?xfile=data/focusoniraq/2005/January/focusoniraq_January9.xml§ion=focusoniraq&col=

[acmavm]

1. Oh yeah, everything is under control in our 52nd State. bush** is nuttier

than a fruitcake if he thinks anyone but the braindead are going to swallow that one.

Now who would have the most to gain, or the most obvious motive for this act? Allawi to scare al Sadr out of trying to gain entrance to the government, the Sunnis to derail the election by taking the civil war up a notch (as Emeril would say), or John Negroponte just because he loves killing people and stirring up shit? I suppose I'll go with the Sunnis since it seems most logical. But then, what's logic got to do with anything in this fiasco.

Let freedom reign? No, I don't think so.

[mikehiggins]

2. Just another example how desperate the insurgents are getting

Pretty soon they will run out of targets.

Then what will they do?

Another brilliant strategy by our Supreme Leader.

[Dinger]

3. What In The Hell Happened To Sadr Anyway?

He sort of dropped off the face of the news, if ya know what I mean.

[alcuno]

4. I believe it's called laying low.

Every time I hear them talk about Sistani wanting a secular government I think he's just biding his time.

[Disturbed]

6. Negroponte and Allawi

Two hit men for the Bush Junta. Al Sadr may survive because it would be unwise to make hima martyr but any of those close to him are definte targets of the Bush/Allawi Fascists.

Amazing: 170 Political Parties running in the Iraqi election!

[Javaman]

5. Unknown gunman...aka cia, seal, special forces...just name your flavor...