Iraq goes after Shiite militants near Iran

[maddezmom]

Source: CNN

Story Highlights
NEW: Two roadside bombs explode in Shiite areas of Baghdad; one death reported

Security forces launch offensive against Shiite "outlaws" in southeastern province

Province believed to house elements of Muqtada al-Sadr's Mehdi Army

U.S. forces detain 21 in operations north of Baghdad


BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Iraqi security forces launched an offensive Thursday against Shiite militants in a southeastern province that borders Iran, the government said.


Iraqi security forces prepare Wednesday night for a patrol as part of an offensive in Maysan province.

The operation aims to "impose the law and confront outlaws," said Maysan province police Col. Mehdi al-Asadi.

Curfews were imposed but didn't disrupt daily life, al-Asadi said, noting that markets were active and students were taking exams.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki had set a Wednesday deadline for "outlaws" in Maysan to hand in their weapons or face an offensive.

Under terms set by the government, medium and heavy weapons and explosives could be exchanged for cash rewards until Wednesday.

more:http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/06/19/iraq.main/

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/06/19/iraq.main/

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Acting deputy governor, a Sadrist, has been arrested by Iraqi troops in Amarah
The Associated PressPublished: June 19, 2008

BAGHDAD: Officials say the acting deputy governor who is a senior Sadrist has been arrested by Iraqi troops in the southern city of Amarah.

A provincial official says Iraqi troops arrested Rafia Abdul-Jabbar in his office Thursday morning as the government officially launched its latest operation against militias.

Abdul-Jabbar is the top city administrator in Amarah as well as acting deputy governor for the surrounding Maysan province.

The official, who declined to be identified because he wasn't authorized to release the information, says a member of the provincial council also was arrested

more:http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/06/19/africa/ME-GEN-Iraq-Sadrist-Arrested.php

[ohio2007]

1. Top Sadrist official arrested in Amarah

BAGHDAD (AP) - Iraqi troops on Thursday arrested the top official in Amarah, a Muqtada al-Sadr loyalist, officials said, drawing swift condemnations from followers of the anti-U.S. cleric and raising tensions as a military operation against Shiite militias got under way.
Rafia Abdul-Jabbar, who also was acting deputy governor for Maysan province, was seized from his office Thursday morning along with a member of the provincial council, a local official said.

The arrest came as Iraqi troops fanned out and gunmen tossed weapons on the streets or in canals with the official launch of the military crackdown in Amarah, a stronghold of al-Sadr's Mahdi Army militia and the purported center of weapons smuggling from neighboring Iran


snip
The Sadrists have accused the Shiite-led government of trying to undermine the movement ahead of the vote, which is expected to redistribute more power among their bloc and Sunni parties who boycotted the last provincial vote in January 2005.


snip


http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D91D5KKG0&show_article=1

you got blood on your face



you big disgrace
waving your banner all over the place



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGaOlfmX8rQ

and stay out of iraq

[ohio2007]

2. More deadly arms turning up in Iraq

BAGHDAD — Weapons caches are turning up with increasing frequency in public places in Iraq — from a bakery to a fish farm — as recent security gains embolden more civilians to come forward with tips, U.S. and Iraqi military officials say.

The odd locations of many of the discoveries reflect the fine line separating civilians from the Shiite and Sunni extremists who don't wear uniforms and often live among them. Many would-be tipsters had previously looked the other way because of intimidation or because they sought protection from local militias.

"These are people who in the past weren't willing to come forth because of the threats from militias," said Maj. Gen. Jeff Hammond, the top commander of U.S. forces in Baghdad. "Now they're telling the Iraqi army they've had it with the militia. 'Don't leave. We want you to stay here.' "

snip

"Now we are given accurate information, and this has enabled us to discover large caches," he told reporters Wednesday. "Now the citizens are cooperating with us. Thus our work is getting better."

snip
U.S. military officials point to growing public confidence in recent military successes in Shiite militia strongholds. A U.S.-funded Sunni revolt against al-Qaida in Iraq, in which former fighters joined forces with the Americans, also has provided troops with more information about hiding places.

The trend is particularly evident in Sadr City, which has long been dominated by the Mahdi Army militia of anti-U.S. cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. Fierce fighting broke out in the area after the U.S.-backed government launched a crackdown in late March, but the clashes ebbed after al-Sadr called for a cease-fire.

Usually acting on tips, Iraqi soldiers have rounded up arms rockets, grenades and other explosive devices from mosques, hospitals and schools in the aftermath.

http://www.northjersey.com/news/world/More_deadly_arms_turning_up_in_Iraq.html


Better hope al Sadr doen't go "Zimbabwe" on the collaborators come September/October...from his safe house in a foreign land of course. ;)