Iraqis see U.S. push against Sadr's Mehdi Army
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - U.S.-led forces are likely to launch a limited New Year offensive against Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr's Mehdi Army militia, blamed for sectarian death squad killings, senior Iraqi officials say.
The Pentagon, in a report last month, described Mehdi Army militias as the biggest threat to Iraq's security and diplomats say Washington is impatient to confront them.
Several officials in the Shi'ite political parties that dominate Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's unity government also say they are losing patience with Sadr's supporters and predict more raids like last week's joint U.S.-Iraqi operation in which a senior Sadr aide was killed.
"There will be limited and targeted operations against members of the Mehdi Army," a senior Shi'ite official told Reuters. "The ground is full of surprises but we think around January 5 there will be some operations. I can say no more."
British forces in the southern oil province of Basra have also been conducting major raids against groups they describe as "rogue Mehdi Army," some entrenched in Iraqi police units.
Last week, British troops blew up the headquarters of Basra's Major Crimes Unit and said they freed tortured prisoners.
"The Americans want a war with the Mehdi Army," said a Western diplomat in Baghdad, who was not American or British. ...
Offensive against al-Sadr coming soon?
Allahpundit
A “limited” offensive, according to senior Iraqi officials. Christopher Hitchens is distraught over Saddam’s execution for what are mostly good reasons, but I wonder if he’s missing the fact that it gives Bush and Maliki leverage to go after the militias more aggressively. Quote:
Several officials in the Shi’ite political parties that dominate Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki’s unity government also say they are losing patience with Sadr’s supporters and predict more raids like last week’s joint U.S.-Iraqi operation in which a senior Sadr aide was killed.
“There will be limited and targeted operations against members of the Mehdi Army,” a senior Shi’ite official told Reuters. “The ground is full of surprises but we think around January 5 there will be some operations. I can say no more.”…
“The Americans want a war with the Mehdi Army,” said a Western diplomat in Baghdad, who was not American or British…
But Maliki’s fragile authority among his fellow Shi’ite’s has been bolstered by Saturday’s hanging of Saddam Hussein, whose Sunni-led administration oppressed the Shi’ite majority.
Assuming Maliki really does want to neutralize Sadr instead of using him to ethnically cleanse Baghdad, this is his best chance. He’s got political capital to spend and a perfect excuse to unleash the military — reaching out to Sunnis who were alienated by the execution by targeting their chief persecutor. The timing also benefits Bush, who’s going to announce a troop increase either next week or later this month. If he can knock a few pillars out of the house of Sadr before then, it’ll be easier to sell a surge at home. ...
