Mahdi Army Militiaman: "The cease-fire is over."

by: Brandon Friedman

Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 23:32:06 PM EDT


This is bad:

"The cease-fire is over; we have been told to fight the Americans," said one Mahdi Army militiaman, who was reached by telephone in Sadr City. This same man, when interviewed in January, had stated that he was abiding by the cease-fire and that he was keeping busy running his cellular phone store.

From all accounts, the fighting in Basra and Baghdad appears to be heavy between Iraqi and American forces and Muqtada al Sadr's Mahdi Army.  The New York Times has reported:

Barrages of rockets and mortar shells pounded the fortified Green Zone area for the second time in three days.

This has apparently resulted in the death of at least one U.S. Embassy employee.  

Elsewhere in Baghdad, another U.S. soldier was killed by hostile fire at 5:00 PM on Tuesday, bringing the American military death toll to 4,001.
Brandon Friedman :: Mahdi Army Militiaman: "The cease-fire is over."
Tags: , , , , , , (All Tags)
Print Friendly View Send As Email
Mahdi Army Militiaman: "The cease-fire is over." | 26 comments
Yeah but (0.00 / 0)
I still cannot help but think that the Shiite card was overplayed by the administration in an effort to pump up Iran war rhetoric. I mean arent the most dangerous places in Iraq for Americans still predominantly Sunni?
Not when there's no ceasefire. (0.00 / 0)
Last summer was the bloodiest of the war.  That's when the Mahdi Army was launching EFP attacks on a daily basis.  Shia militias using Iranian weaponry in 2007 have proven deadlier than the Sunni militias of 2004-2005.  (But that doesn't mean these attacks were coordinated by the Iranian government.)    
[ Parent ]
Well ok (0.00 / 0)
because back when I was last there, Muqtada had a flare up, but it was pretty much the Sunnis who were the much bigger threat, and there absolutely was a hardcore international jihadist movement where I was. I think the ASC has been a big help with the Sunnis. That said, do u see any of the Shiite militias posing any threat to the US outside Iraq? I don't
[ Parent ]
No way. (0.00 / 0)

[ Parent ]
Yeah (0.00 / 0)
I actually think the Shiite militias area part of the insurance needed to make sure AQI doesnt take over Iraq. But I doubt the administration is aware of that, seeing that they are hell bent on war with Iran and all.
[ Parent ]
Talking Point taken From GOP (0.00 / 0)
The Talking Point (TP) of the success of the surge has played out, and now we will push the tide back to end this conflict.  The GOP will have lost a key card to their rhetoric to keep us in Iraq.  It is a shame that real lives are being used to push failed policies for a political party who just wants a win to keep them in power.
Does anyone know... (0.00 / 0)

... who the fuck we are fighting anymore and why?

This has been one of my main points (4.00 / 1)
We refuse to take sides in a 6 way civil war in Iraq.  I talk to people all the time that say that if we leave, there will be this mass genocide.  I disagree.  If that was going to happen, it would happen right now.  If we see one group of Iraqis attacking the other, we don't jump in. There are no uniforms, so we have no idea who is attacking who or who we should defend.  And in many cases, it is two different groups fighting each other, neither of which we support.  In fact, many of the groups we don't support are part of the Iraqi government.

"No U.S. soldier ever dies in vain because they're carrying out the missions of their commander in chief. And we honor all the service that they've provided." - Barack Obama
[ Parent ]
Brian, (0.00 / 0)
we're fighting "terrists".
[ Parent ]
My bad. Which ones are we fighting again? N/T (0.00 / 0)

[ Parent ]
The Islamo-Fascists Jihadis (4.00 / 1)
Which includes Al-Qaeda, Iran, the Muslims, the democrats, and 9/11.

"No U.S. soldier ever dies in vain because they're carrying out the missions of their commander in chief. And we honor all the service that they've provided." - Barack Obama
[ Parent ]
and the Dixie Chicks. (4.00 / 1)

[ Parent ]
Oh great. (0.00 / 0)

This is a turd sandwich that is just beginning to unravel.

There is growing concern, however, that Iran could respond to such US accusations. "This is pretty serious, and if the Iranians do not back down rapidly this will escalate," says Martin Navias, an analyst at Britain's Centre for Defence Studies at King's College in London. "The US has a number of problems with Iran, mainly the nuclear program and its behavior in Iraq. There are many people in the Bush administration who want to hit Iran."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20...
Yea, but... (4.00 / 1)
...hit them with what, Mr. Bush?  
[ Parent ]
A strongly worded letter? (4.00 / 1)

[ Parent ]
We can sick Jason Materra and the College Republicans on them. (0.00 / 0)
Panty raid!
[ Parent ]
I hear... (0.00 / 0)
the Knights of Columbus and the Daughters of the American Revolution have been spoiling to get into the fight.
[ Parent ]
Flash! (0.00 / 0)
<...Jason Materra and the College Republicans... /blockquote>

I don't agree with Materra and many Republicans on the war issue either, but your (and others' ) insinuation that all Reps are largely clueless about the shit in Iraq is just plain dumb-ass.  I know many Democrats, Reps, and Independents who are for, or against, this mess.  Far-left-wingers don't help because they simply blog incessantly and far-right-wingers need a reality check.

So what am I saying?  That this is not a Republican vs Democrat issue.  I shuttle vets to a regional VA hospital frequently and some of those are Dems who support the war as is, and some Reps oppose it.  On a MUCH smaller scale, this Rep. vs Dem. BS is the same sort of sectarian sludge that's got Iraq mired in the mud.

Get over your political "bigotry" and let's all get the message out that a more realistic and intelligent policy needs to be put in place in the Middle East.  And let's do it as "Americans."


[ Parent ]
Oooops.......... (0.00 / 0)
Sorry about the quote thing in previous message.  Damn.
[ Parent ]
I see your point, and for the most part, agree (0.00 / 0)
I too have friends who are republicans who are staunchly against this war, and friends who are democrats who either support a continued occupation, or take no position on it.  However, in a nation of hyper-partisanship where anyone left of Hannity is considered a socialist, much reasonable debate is stifled.  And as far as political candidates go, the democratic candidates are the only ones who are talking about any kind of change at all.  I know many people might not like their plans for change in Iraq, but the other alternative is McCain's proposition of "Stay the Course" for four more years.

"No U.S. soldier ever dies in vain because they're carrying out the missions of their commander in chief. And we honor all the service that they've provided." - Barack Obama
[ Parent ]
By the way (0.00 / 0)
I wrote a diary here regarding the money that Iraq is bringing in with oil exports and why there is no incentive for them to use it on reconstruction as long as we are willing to foot the bill.  Please take a look at it and tell me what you think.  I know we have very different opinions on OIF, but I do like hearing different points of view on the subject, especially from other vets. :)

"No U.S. soldier ever dies in vain because they're carrying out the missions of their commander in chief. And we honor all the service that they've provided." - Barack Obama
[ Parent ]
Right On.... (4.00 / 1)
Clejeune, I read the article (twice!!) and totally agree.  I think every American should be painfully aware of this, then tell their Senators and Representatives that this must stop.

Too bad I didn't beat you to writing an article like this!  I guess I must have been too irritated at Friedman for his irrelevant political jabs (I just had to get that in).

Write more!

[ Parent ]
Thank you! (0.00 / 0)
Coming from you I consider that quite the compliment!

"No U.S. soldier ever dies in vain because they're carrying out the missions of their commander in chief. And we honor all the service that they've provided." - Barack Obama
[ Parent ]
Flash ! (4.00 / 1)
My "political bigotry" could not even approach the crap that I've had slung at me over the past five years. Hell, I've been called everything but a child of God. I've got a young man I helped raise who's in Iraq right now, but I've had Republican Bush apologists who don't have anyone over there and won't enlist themselves tell me that all I want is for America to lose in Iraq and that I'm happy when American GI's get killed in Iraq. So, really, I haven't got a lot of faith in this "let's work together" bullshit. But, my post wasn't about Democrat vs Republican. It was about chickenhawks touting a war they have no intention of fighting:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

But if I do decide to rub a Republican's nose in it, I will. It makes me feel better, goddamit.

[ Parent ]
Just scratch that. (0.00 / 0)
Peace.
[ Parent ]
Oh yeah (0.00 / 0)
I have dealt with those types before. The ones that accuse u of being a terror sympathizer, when it is their buddies who got us in bed with the Number 1 Terror supporting state in the world.
[ Parent ]
Mahdi Army Militiaman: "The cease-fire is over." | 26 comments
VetVoice on Facebook
VetVoice Recommends

"The War I Always Wanted,"
By Brandon Friedman

"The welcome mat for memoirs by veterans of operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom might never wear out so long as they write with the savvy of Brandon Friedman . . . Friedman's take is vivid, frank, precise and dramatic." --Military Times

"Add Brandon Friedman's The War I Always Wanted to the ranks of outstanding non-fiction produced by officers from elite combat units in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Always truthful, often excruciatingly so, The War I Always Wanted rises at numerous points to the level of literature." --Steven Pressfield, author of Gates of Fire

Buy The War I Always Wanted here.

"A Time To Lead,"
By General (Ret.) Wesley K. Clark

"A Time To Lead confirms the rewarding benefits of military service at a time when such service is experiencing considerable strain. It also includes a comprehensive description of America's current national imperatives, which deserve serious consideration." --General Alexander M. Haig, Jr., former Secretary of State

"This is a primer on leadership forged in battle and by decades of experience. . .This isn't just a book; it's a manual for leading people and living a good life." --Barry McCaffrey, General, USA (ret.)

Buy A Time to Lead here.

"Love My Rifle More Than You,"
By Kayla Williams

"Whip smart, sassy, with a mouth as foul as a sailor's, 28-year-old Sergeant Kayla Williams. . .tells what it's like to be a female soldier in Iraq." --Booklist

". . .echoes military memoirists from Julius Caesar to Ernie Pyle." --Publishers Weekly

". . .a shocking, on-the-ground view of one military woman's experience in Iraq." --Bookmarks Magazine

Buy Love My Rifle More Than You here.

"How to Break a Terrorist,"
By Matthew Alexander

"...a riveting, fast-paced account that reads like a first-rate thriller." --Publisher's Weekly

" ...an absorbing behind-the-scenes look at the secret intelligence war within a war." --Military.com

Buy How to Break a Terrorist here.
RSS Feed Links

Subscribe to VetVoice in a feed reader!

Subscribe to VetVoice by Email!
Diaries and comments at VetVoice do not necessarily represent the views of VoteVets.org. VetVoice will strive to remove any illegal material as soon as it is flagged. Similarly, VetVoice will use its discretion in determining whether to remove exceedingly offensive material. However, between posting and removal, any offensive or illegal material does not reflect the condoning or endorsing of said material by VoteVets.org or VetVoice.
Similarly, the views expressed on this website are those of the authors alone. Opinions on this website do not necessarily represent the views of the Department of Defense or any of its components.
Menu

Make a New Account

Username:

Password:


Forget your username or password?

Front Page Writers
PTSD Resources
TBI Resources
IRR Information
Casualty Reports
VA Information
Support the Troops
Veteran Candidates We Support
Congressional Committees
Contact Your Elected Leaders
Sites We Like
Search

Advanced Search

Paid for VoteVets Political Action Committee. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. VoteVets Action Fund is a 501(c)(4) organization which primarily focuses on nonpartisan education and advocacy on behalf veterans and their families. VoteVets Political Action Committee is a federal political committee which primarily helps elect Iraq and Afghanistan war veteran candidates and educates about veterans and military issues aimed at influencing the outcome of the next election.

Site Design: Articulated Man

VoteVets Political Action and Vote Vets Action Fund are separate organizations.

Powered by: SoapBlox