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

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

It's always a real smart move to take sides in a civil war..especially one based on religion. The geniuses at the Pentagon and White House are at it again.

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/KAR150366.htm

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."

British forces in the southern oil province of Basra have also been conducting major raids against groups they describe as "rogue Mehdi Army", some entrenched in Iraqi police units. Last week, British troops blew up the headquarters of Basra's Major Crimes Unit and said they freed tortured prisoners.

"The Americans want a war with the Mehdi Army," said a Western diplomat in Baghdad, who is not American or British.

"They want to get rid of the militia and it seems they will succeed in getting one."

[H2O Man]

1. This is not

a good direction for us to head in.

[iconoclastic cat]

2. And now the Sunnis are good and pissed, too.

Is Bushco trying to stir up trouble to gain support for...something?

[wtmusic]

3. al Sadr is a dead man

too powerful, too logical. Tea with polonium-er, sugar, Muqtada?

[Disturbed]

4. This move against al Sadr may blow up in Busholini's face/

Al Sadr has in the past sought an Alliance with the Sunni Insurgency. If he succeeds with that the US Occupation will be crushed.

[EFerrari]

5. Are they trying to set Iraq on fire? They insult the Sunnis, now this.