Basra’s “Dark Ages” Lifting As Militias’ Grip Weakens
Related: Iraqi Army Succeeds Where Brits Failed
Related: New Blow To Brits As Mailiki Fires Basra Commanders
“Basra is going back to it’s glorious, joyfuol days” - resident
BAGHDAD - CD shops sell love songs again. Some women emerge from their homes without veils, and alcohol sellers are coming out of hiding in the southern city of Basra — where religious vigilantes have long enforced strict Islamic codes.
The changes in recent weeks mark a surprising show of government sway — at least for now — after an Iraqi-led military crackdown that was plagued by desertions, ragged planning and ended in a virtual stalemate with Shiite militias in Iraq’s second-largest city.
But it’s unclear whether the new tone in parts of Basra represents a permanent tilt toward the Iraqi government or just a temporary retreat of Shiite hard-liners challenging the current Baghdad leadership.
During five days of heavy fighting last month, Iraqi troops struggled against militiamen, particularly the Mahdi Army loyal to anti-U.S. cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. The military was plagued by desertions and poor organization — and, in the end, the offensive was inconclusive with Iran helping mediate a truce.
Still, the crackdown appears to have succeeded in giving some sense of government control in Basra.
Two Associated Press employees in Basra interviewed several shopkeepers and other residents on the lifting of some lifestyle restrictions imposed by Shiite hard-liners. The AP also toured four districts around the city to observe the recent changes.
For years, militiamen and vigilantes have had nearly a free hand in Basra. They intimidated, attacked and sometimes killed residents who broke the strict social rules in the city — once known for its liberal lifestyles and nightlife.
Walid Khalid had to stop selling alcohol in 2005 after gunmen snatched his brother from their home and dumped him hours later in the street with gunshots to both legs.
But the two brothers resumed their business in the past days, feeling safer after the crackdown launched March 25.
“Now, I have resumed my business and I am selling alcohol in a street in central Basra near an army checkpoint,” Khalid told the AP.
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki ordered the offensive in Basra in a bid to confront what he called Shiite gangs and criminals. Basra is also critical for the government as the commercial hub of the nation’s southern oil fields.
The assault stalled as Mahdi Army fighters put up unexpected resistance, and at least 1,000 soldiers and many police refused to fight — either because they were intimidated by the militias or were loyal to al-Sadr.
The military had to rush in reinforcements from other parts of Iraq and call for help from the British and the Americans. U.S. and British aircraft launched airstrikes and ferried wounded Iraqi soldiers to hospital.
Since the truce, government forces have continued raids and arrests, but in a more low key way. More than 400 militiamen and criminals have been arrested since the sweep began, the Interior Ministry said.
It is unclear whether the decreased presence of militiamen in the streets is because they were dealt a real blow or just a tactic to lie low for the time being. The Mahdi Army in Basra remains in control of its stronghold district of Hayaniyah and other small areas — and it and other militias, all with political backers, retain enormous influence in the city.
Security forces are pushing hard to convince Basra residents they have broken the militias’ hold. Checkpoints have been set up on main streets and intersections, with increased patrols in other areas.
State TV showed police cars decorated with streamers and flowers circulating the streets broadcasting music through loudspeakers, and top commanders walking around, chatting with pedestrians and shopowners, telling them not to be afraid of gangs.
Interior Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Abdul-Karim Khalaf told the AP the crackdown will continue till “Basra is back to its glorious joyful days.”
The people in Basra “will forget the dark ages they lived during the past years. Basra will not be a sad city anymore,” Khalaf said, speaking from the city.
Muhanad Jawad, owner of a CD shop, said that before the crackdown, bearded men wearing black clothes frequently raided his shop to look for banned love songs or romantic Western or Egyptian movies. Gunmen would order him to sell only CDs with songs or video mourning Imam al-Hussein, a revered Shiite martyr in the 7th century.
“Now, the situation is better. The fanatic gunmen have vanished and a lot of young people are visiting my shop to buy songs, pop music and romantic movies,” he said.
In the city’s main street, Al-Jazir, several CD shops have been opened and music is played loudly outside the stores while unveiled young women pass by. Although not fully covered by a traditional veil, most women nonetheless wear head scarves over their hair.
Mohammed Abdul-Amir, a government employee, dared to hire a singer and a band for his wedding four days ago.
“I am happy to have a real wedding party,” he said. “A few weeks ago, doing such a thing would have meant death.”
(AP)
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Its always been interesting to see how small groups can hold entire countries by the balls. how 20% can hold the other 80% captive. I do understand it although i have never lived through anything in a negative way like that, obviously. I just imagine if that happened in the US the citizens would rise up against it.
Its great that our troops along with the Iraqis police and military are finally taking care of these assholes, now the Iraqi people can see what freedom is.
April 18th, 2008 at 7:13 pmFrredom is contagious. Once the Irqis in Basra and Sadr City get a real taste of it, maybe they won’t give it up so quickly, the next time the kafirs come calling.
April 18th, 2008 at 7:22 pmYou got it Dan.
I guess thats actually the answer to my original thoughts. when you grow up only knowing a very small amount of personal freedom to start with I guess by the time you realize its all gone its kinda too late. hard to fight for something you have never had or hell, dont even know about. freedom that is
April 18th, 2008 at 7:26 pmKurt and Dan
And hopefully these pockets of communities will see each other developing, growing and thriving and try to feed off each other’s progress in a healthy way (see: capitalism).
They also need to build pride. Pride in what they accomplish, and what their children and the following generation can accomplish from the model.
Sadly, it is something we are actually losing in this ever growing ‘nanny-state’ mentality in our own country.
I almost envy the creative juices the Iraqi people are beginning to feel. Without the oppression and addiction of government.
April 18th, 2008 at 7:35 pmI bet none of the big networks cover this story. Somebody send a copy to Nancy and Harry and Jimmy
April 18th, 2008 at 7:44 pm@Drill and Kurt:
No doubt we all wish the Iraqi people well and that they prize their new found freedoms above their own lives.
In 20 years these same people will be back to just being people…instaed of being victims all the time (ala Sadr Badr, The Iraniacs, Baathists or AQI).
It would be great to go visit Baghdad and visit Martyr Square…a place where the names of all the brave Iraqis who died fighting AQ or Sadr are listed for all to see and remember.
Can you imaginge a National Iraqi Liberation day, where the graves of the fallen are decorated with Iraqi flags and a wreath laying ceremony is held in a place called Martyr Square?
It’s a nice thought.
Freedom isn’t free. It has to be bled for. Iraqis should be proud of the way their Armed Forces are standing up to Mookie. And how the Awakening has stood up to AQI.
It’s a beatiful thing to see… when freedom takes hold in a country that has been dominated by a ruthless dictator for 30 years.
April 18th, 2008 at 9:06 pmI agree …
How long before we can all consider Iraq an exotic vacation trip destination to be won on some game show, as opposed to “I’m doing a third fucking tour in fucking Iraq with my unit …”
Long time, I suspect, though.
April 18th, 2008 at 9:26 pmDan
completely agree.
I could see people visiting Iraq in the not-so distant future. 10-15 years from now and hopefully Americans and Iraqis will form a bond. Its a great thing that is happening there right now. even if pockets of people are enjoying freedom and safety for the time being its still more than had experienced it previously.
One day
April 18th, 2008 at 9:32 pmAh, the sights and sounds of freedom
April 18th, 2008 at 9:33 pmI’m convinced that this is one of the reasons the dhimmicrats cannot stand to see the US (or Iraq) be victorious in the war on terror. They prefer to exercise absolute power, and to have as many poor schlubs dependent on them as possible.
Cheers to free Iraqis
Drillanwr
Its already happenning in spots. Kurdistan is listed as a tourist town with mini skirts and bars…
April 19th, 2008 at 8:42 amthese kind of stories bode well for the future of iraq and it’s people.too bad the fucking limp wristed sissies in the msm ignore them.thanks for the good news,pat. i’ve upped my dinar stash to 1.5 million!
April 19th, 2008 at 10:27 amAccording to Talisman Gate, that 1,000+ desertion figure is bogus, the result of AP et al. quoting as original sources Arabic mis-translations of the original English-language AP reports which were the usual dubious stringer stuff. So it was a double-loop Chinese telephone.
April 20th, 2008 at 9:16 am