Reuters: Analysis-Iraqis see U.S. push against Sadr's Mehdi Army

[Eugene]

ANALYSIS-Iraqis see U.S. push against Sadr's Mehdi Army
01 Jan 2007 18:20:11 GMT
Source: Reuters

By Mariam Karouny

BAGHDAD, Jan 1 (Reuters) - U.S.-led forces are likely to launch a limited New Year
offensive against Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr's Mehdi Army militia, blamed for
sectarian death squad killings, senior Iraqi officials say.

The Pentagon, in a report last month, described Mehdi Army militias as the biggest
threat to Iraq's security and diplomats say Washington is impatient to confront them.

Several officials in the Shi'ite political parties that dominate Prime Minister Nuri
al-Maliki's unity government also say they are losing patience with Sadr's supporters
and predict more raids like last week's joint U.S.-Iraqi operation in which a senior
Sadr aide was killed.

"There will be limited and targeted operations against members of the Mehdi Army,"
a senior Shi'ite official told Reuters. "The ground is full of surprises but we think
around Jan. 5 there will be some operations. I can say no more."

-snip-
Full article: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/KAR150366.htm

[acmavm]

1. Limited and targets raids and attacks? How they gonna decide

to hit, throw everybody's name into a hat and draw?

Wonder if they'll try for Moqtie too?

[NNN0LHI]

2. In other word the US is going to take out any opposition in Sadr's party for him

I wonder why they would do that?

Don