- Oct 27, 2006
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http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080312/wl_nm/iraq_dc
"With U.S. forces already stretched by an upsurge in violence in Iraq since January, such ceasefire violations are a worrying development. U.S. commanders have credited the ceasefire with sharply reducing sectarian bloodshed that threatened civil war."
So, the gist of this is, that the 'Surge' was far less important to stabilizing Iraq than the crucial truce that held back the Mehdi Army from furthering the chaos in the country.
"Sadr renewed a six-month ceasefire last month but at the weekend issued a statement telling followers they could defend themselves if attacked. Until Tuesday's fighting, there had been no major violations of the truce."
In other words, Al Sadr and his Mehdi now are in the unfortunate hot seat. They can either stand down and lose respect/authority in their caste, or they can resume fighting outright, and continue to die in violent confrontations. Something tells me that it's unlikely that they will just let themselves be pushed into obscurity. Al Sadr's golden moment came when we invaded Iraq in the first place, he's going to be very unwilling to cast aside his demagoguery and strongman posturing for a more honorable course of peaceful action.
"With U.S. forces already stretched by an upsurge in violence in Iraq since January, such ceasefire violations are a worrying development. U.S. commanders have credited the ceasefire with sharply reducing sectarian bloodshed that threatened civil war."
So, the gist of this is, that the 'Surge' was far less important to stabilizing Iraq than the crucial truce that held back the Mehdi Army from furthering the chaos in the country.
"Sadr renewed a six-month ceasefire last month but at the weekend issued a statement telling followers they could defend themselves if attacked. Until Tuesday's fighting, there had been no major violations of the truce."
In other words, Al Sadr and his Mehdi now are in the unfortunate hot seat. They can either stand down and lose respect/authority in their caste, or they can resume fighting outright, and continue to die in violent confrontations. Something tells me that it's unlikely that they will just let themselves be pushed into obscurity. Al Sadr's golden moment came when we invaded Iraq in the first place, he's going to be very unwilling to cast aside his demagoguery and strongman posturing for a more honorable course of peaceful action.