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The War Profiteers - War Crimes,
Kidnappings, Torture and Big Money |
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April 1st,
2008 - Iraqi PM: Basra Operation a ‘Success’ |
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Iraqi PM: Basra Operation a ‘Success’ By Bushra Juhi Associated Press April 1, 2008 Prime Minister Nouri
al-Maliki claimed Tuesday that a week-old operation against Shiite militias
has been a "success" despite a cease-fire that did not disarm the
gunmen and left him politically battered. The Shiite leader stopped
short of declaring an end to the offensive that began a week ago Tuesday in
the southern city of Basra, sparking retaliatory clashes in Baghdad and other
southern cities, and criticism that his government was unprepared for the
fierce backlash. Militia leader Muqtada
al-Sadr, meanwhile, thanked his fighters for "defending your people,
your land and your honor." Sporadic fighting continued
in Baghdad and Basra, but the cities otherwise were calm two days after the
radical Shiite cleric called on his fighters to stand down in a bid to end
the widening conflict. A U.S. helicopter fired a
missile at gunmen attacking ground forces in the Baghdad militia stronghold
of Sadr City, killing six militants, the military said. Iraqi police and
witnesses said three civilians were killed in the strike. Amid the tensions, Britain's
Defense Secretary Des Browne said a plan to withdraw around 1,500 troops
based mainly around Basra has been postponed. Browne said it would be
"prudent" to pause any further reductions while the situation was
unfolding. Ground forces called for the
airstrike in Sadr City after gunmen fired at a tank and rolled a burning tire
in their direction, said Maj. Mark Cheadle, a military spokesman in Baghdad. Iraqi police said U.S.
troops opened fire them hours later in Sadr City, killing three unarmed men
and wounding six people, including two children. Cheadle denied U.S. forces
were involved in such an incident. The fighting in the capital
and cities to the south has helped make March the deadliest month for Iraqis
since last summer, according to figures compiled by The Associated Press. Al-Maliki insisted in the
statement issued by his office that the operation had achieved
"security, stability and success" in Basra. He announced a seven-point
plan to stabilize the area, including recruiting 10,000 more police and army
forces from local tribes and moving to enhance public services for the
embattled population of some 2 million. The prime minister's office
later issued another statement asserting that the offensive was
"legitimate." "We fulfilled our
security commitments and responsibilities, which paved the way toward law
enforcement and security," he said. Associated Press writers
Sinan Salaheddin and Hamid Ahmed contributed to this report. External link: http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1726892,00.html |