Al Sadr Extends Cease Fire
This part won’t make the news: He was made an offer he couldn’t refuse. And no, it wasn’t for free dental work.
BAGHDAD — Anti-U.S. cleric Moktada al-Sadr announced Friday that he has extended a cease-fire order to his Shiite Mahdi Army by another six months, giving Iraq a chance to continue its fragile recovery from brutal sectarian violence.
His message was delivered by Shiite clerics during prayer services in mosques dominated by followers of the black-turbaned cleric.
”According to an order by Sayyid Muqtada, activities of the Mahdi Army will be suspended … for another six month period,” al-Sadr’s aide Hazim al-Aaraji said, using an honorific for al-Sadr during his sermon at the Kazimiyah mosque in Baghdad.
The U.S. military welcomed initial word of the decision, but pledged to continue cracking down on what it calls breakaway factions that persist in violence.
”This extension of his August 2007 pledge of honor to halt attacks is an important commitment that can broadly contribute to further improvements in security for all Iraqi citizens,” the military said in a statement. ”It will also foster a better opportunity for national reconciliation and allow the coalition and Iraqi security forces to focus more intensively on al-Qaida terrorists.”
”Those who continue to honor al-Sayyid Moktada al-Sadr’s pledge will be treated with respect and restraint,” it said. ”Coalition and Iraqi security forces will continue to work closely with the Iraqi people to protect them from these criminals who violate the law and dishonor the commitment made by al-Sayyid Muqtada.”
The military also said it was open to dialogue with the Sadrists and ”all groups who seek to bring about reconciliation in building the new Iraq.”
The American military has continued to raid Shiite groups it says are supported and trained by Iran and have splintered off from al-Sadr’s militia. That’s angered some followers of al-Sadr, who also are frustrated with the Iraqi government, and they had argued for an end to the cease-fire.
(AP)
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If he didn’t, he might find a hellfire guided missile flying up his ass. Will this get any coverage, not likely…
February 22nd, 2008 at 7:21 amMore devastating news for Harry Weed.
February 22nd, 2008 at 7:32 am”According to an order by Sayyid Muqtada, activities of the Mahdi Army will be suspended … for another six month period,”
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Okay, buuuut …
Isn’t THAT about/around the time we expect (or hear to expect) we start reducing/drawing down/bringing home some of our troops?
Hey, I could be wrong … I could be coloring outside the lines here … Been known to do that.
February 22nd, 2008 at 7:38 amLike the moron had a choice…extend the suspension of hostilities, and stay alive, or, engauge the American military and send his followers and himself straight to hell. I mean..come on, he’s dellusional if he thinks he has any chance at all.
February 22nd, 2008 at 8:45 amRe: his teeth…looks like he has a bad case of ‘dental gout’, its from blowing goats!
Yeah I think this was a survival tactic on his part. The troops have his number and are just waiting to call it. And he knows it.
Also it’s a let’s see who the American’s elect thing. I’m almost willing to bet in Aug. there will be another extension… say until Nov. Depending on who gets elected and whether the take over he has planned ( and we know he does) will succeed. God Help us and the people of Iraq if a liberal defeatist gets elected.
Maybe one of are fine young soldiers will have a weapons accident and take him out. But then it is better to deal with the enemy you know.
February 22nd, 2008 at 9:52 am