Sheikh Hazem al-Araji, an aide to Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, was briefly taken into custody by U.S. forcesTuesday (AP)
From CNN, with thanks to DC Watson:
BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- As Iraq's most powerful Shiite clerics warned the U.S.-led coalition that it "must pay" for the current crisis in the country, the head of U.S. Central Command asked the Pentagon for roughly 10,000 more soldiers.In a statement issued Monday after a meeting with radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, the clerics and members of the country's religious authority also cautioned the coalition against doing battle in the holy city of Najaf, and warned against any attempt to kill al-Sadr.
"The current crisis in Iraq has risen to a level that is beyond any political groups, including the Governing Council, and it is now an issue that is between the religious authority and the coalition forces," the statement said.
"Those who have brought on this crisis must pay for what they have done."
Participating in the meeting was Mullah Mohammed Redha Ali Al-Sistani, the son of Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani; Grand Ayatollah Muhammad Ishaq al-Fayadh, Grand Ayatollah Muhammad Sayid al-Hakim, Grand Ayatollah Bashir Hussein al-Najafi, Mohammed Sayid Redha al-Sistani and Sayid Ali al-Sibzwari.
Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the recognized leader of the country's majority Shiite Muslims, is known to keep al-Sadr at arm's length. But the concerns voiced by the clerics Monday reflected a desire to avoid the kind of conflict in Najaf that was recently seen in Fallujah, where several U.S. troops and many more Iraqis died in recent fighting.
Al-Sadr is currently holed up in a mosque in Najaf, where his militia, the Mehdi Army, patrolled the streets Monday after negotiating to allow local police back into three of their stations. An al-Sadr deputy said the militia would allow the police to return only if U.S. forces left the area.
The battle with al-Sadr's forces began earlier this month, after the coalition shut down his newspaper, Al Hawza, for allegedly inciting violence and then arrested an aide on charges of complicity in the slaying last year of another Shiite cleric.
An Iraqi judge has also issued a warrant for al-Sadr's arrest in connection with the killing.
A top aide of al-Sadr, Sheikh Hazem al-Araji, was detained and questioned by U.S. forces and then released Tuesday, according to a U.S. Army officer.
"After questioning, we determined that he is not part of the violence and appears to have been a force for promoting discussion," 1st Armored Division commander Maj. Gen. Martin Dempsey said.
Al-Araji was on a list of al-Sadr associates wanted for questioning by the U.S. military.
Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, said Monday the U.S. forces' mission is "to kill or capture Muqtada al-Sadr," the phrase coalition military leaders use to refer to their missions against other so-called "high level targets."
Najaf, Kufa and neighboring Karbala are the only cities remaining under the Mehdi Army's control since U.S. forces put down al-Sadr-inspired rebellions in other cities over the weekend.
I don't understand the Coalition's intentions in Iraq - can anyone enlighten me please?
Iraq seems to contain a large number of people who are violently anti-American and anti-Christian etc. The Coalition is currently re-building Iraq's infrastructure and preparing to hand over the running of the country to Iraqis themselves. In my opinion the radicals in Iraq will quickly hijack the new Iraqi government, throw away the new constitution, and turn Iraq into a dangerous Islamic state which starts attacking the West. It's rather like re-building Nazi Germany after the second world war and inviting the Nazi party to resume their government.
al-sistani better watch his step, or else he will get what al-sadr has coming to him.
to answer your inquiry somewhat, phil, the purpose of the coalition forces is to restore order and stabilize the society so that democracy can flourish out of a virtual intellectual vacuum. as these people are all strangers to us, we make missteps in our assessments of who is good and who is bad. but it gets better with time, especially as more of the bad guys are eliminated. as long as bush remains in office, the momentum is on our side.
what we should be discussing is how soon we can overthrow both syria and iran.
It is more like setting up a new government and leaving some nazis alive/free. The intention vis a vis the Shia, it appears, is to have Sistani senior stand up and take responsibility and control. So far, he has issued a limited Fatwa and refused to step in personally. This news makes it appear that he is now giving limited backing to Sadr and the Coalition will be forced to do his dirty work for him; he'll come out clean and a rival will be gone. He may be destroying his chance to stand up to the Iranians though. The Shia took over several towns after the 1991 war and rioted, looted, etc. Strange behavior for a religious group. They were put down (literally) by Saddam's National Forces.
Maybe Theodore Dalyrmple is correct in his assessment -(2 articles down).
It's notable that ex-Baathist officers are now being asked to take over key positions in the police and security areas. Reminds me of Patton's use of ex-Nazis in maintaining order in US occupied Bavaria at the end of WW2.
well... US went to war because iraq has WMD...so where is the WMDs??? can u people answar me? then US stayed in iraq because the iraqis welcome them to bring democracy... now the iraqis are kicking their ass with simple weapons. how on earth 'the strongest military force on earth' is losing badly to poor iraqis? probably because americans only have powerful machines but coward dogs fighting in iraq! can't u americans get the message... YOU ARE NOT WELCOME IN IRAQ? GET OUT NOW OR ELSE MORE OF YOUR CHILDREN WILL GO HOME IN BODY BAGS!!! kudos to iraqis... fight the oppressors, fight the hypocrites, fight the americans (slaves of their zionist masters!)
YOU ARE NOT WELCOME IN IRAQ? GET OUT NOW OR ELSE MORE OF YOUR CHILDREN WILL GO HOME IN BODY BAGS!!! kudos to iraqis... fight the oppressors, fight the hypocrites, fight the americans (slaves of their zionist masters!)
Posted by kudosiraqis at April 13, 2004 01:00 PM
Kudos, WMDs? Ask the hundreds of thousands of dead Kurds. Kicking America's ass? ya.....I believe the Iraqi deaths exceed American deaths by at least 10 fold. Unfortunately, the pussy Iraqis hide among the innocent population, shooting from Mosques.....Kidnapping innocent, non military personnel. Go tell your story somewhere else ya dumb shit.....
It's obvious you're a brainwashed little sand terd that just doesn't know any better. You call our soldiers cowards yet your brothers in stupidity hide behind the skirts of women, using them as human sheilds like the chicken shit Muslim bastards in Somalia.
To call people like you a rodent, would be an insult to rodents around the globe. Dick.
Kudosiraqis
Let me remind you that poll after poll as indicated that most Iraqis want us there and are glad Saddam is gone. I realize the type of government you want doesn't want anyone's opinion. In an open democracy you can support or oppose Israel's policies. There is much debate in our country over this. However, there is no debate that the American soldiers are the best in the world. They do not hide behind women or use children as cowards do. If the Iraqi insurgents were such great fighters why couldn't their fathers and the rest of the Middle Eastern armies defeat Israel in any of their previous wars. Even if Israel had the best American weapons in the 1950's, 1960's and 1970's Israel's neighbors which outnumbered Israel had the best Soviet weapons. Maybe were you grew up they didn't teach you that. That's the great thing about democracy. You learn the good, bad and the ugly of your own country as well as the rest of the world. You really should try democracy you might like it!
israel had one thing over them and that was some of the best israeli,american,and british military intelligence. second they had better commanders and generals...
dose anyone here actually view the june 30th as a true handover in govt? its what they call in PC Industry a "paper launch". sure there will be a public iraqi face on some branches of govt but who will actually still be calling the shots? who will have control of the iraqi military? and who will have over 100,000 troops in the country
answer: united states
so please dont be as naive about june30th as the crappy american media.
Joseph
I noticed you somewhat answered my post but I had hoped you would have answered my previous posts as to why liberals hate American and always look for some opportunity to attack it. I would appreciate an answer.
I am sure Freud or some mind greater than mine would say it has something to do with envy or rebellion, somewhat like your view that if you don't like something (ie God) you just deny it exists.
When the United States assists oppressed Muslims in Bosnia liberals make not a peep, but when they enter Iraq to free people from tyranny than there is some great injustice that has been committed. The slightest bit of trouble in Iraq and liberals are aghast. I don't remember seeing Germans greeting us with open arms in 1945, but a few years later they were glad we came. Liberals also point out, as you have, that religion causes conflict when in fact the most heinous dictators in the world were Agnostics/Atheists (Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot)
Can you please answer as to why liberals hate America and the help it has given oppressed Muslims in the last 12 years ie Somalia, Bosnia and now Iraq. Keep in mind I am not a right-wing Republican but a right-wing Democrat who is a realist about the world.
to kudosiraqis: your lack of substantial knowledge about the situation in iraq belies your status as an enemy. the brave americans lose one life for every 10 the enemy loses. we could make it easier on ourselves by carpetbombing fallujah into annihilation. but we are a good people and are giving the iraqis a chance at a real life. every poll taken since last summer shows the iraqis are in favor of the american presence by a 60%-85% majority. try some empiricism on for size. it may save your life.
i dont think its hate for america as its america not living up to the gold standards of always being right that it is held in by some. america has done alot of good in the world and in this country but it has also done alot of bad things, greedy things, decietful things, so i think some of the anti america stuff comes from that. it might also be partly driven with some not appreciating the arrogance the american govt shows to world events sometimes. also it might just be a reaction to the republican party in this country which generally seems to be ultra patriots and the liberals are trying to be foils to that? im really not sure.
you answered your own question, joseph. anti-americanism is a confused state of mind.
After 12 years of lies, and ignoring 17 United Nations resolutions from a corrupt Iraqi regime who had used WMDS~ on their own people . America could no longer risk the possibilities that this warped homocidal maniac would not leash them on the free and civilized world.
Kudosiraqis
What are you doing here with your get out routine. Think you belong back at IVIEWS.com with Hudd. Those drones may buy into that junk, but it ain't selling anywhere else.
Well lets hope that the Iraqis`don`t end up scuttling probably there last great opportunity to come out of the dark ages.
It is sad to see this country implode due to so much intolerance and ignorance. This coalition does not want to be there any longer than it has to , but the demogogues of radical Islam are the ones prolonging the stay of the coalition. Keep it up and the people of Iraq will end up like the people of Iran only much worse.
America and its allies do not deserve the treatment they are getting from these ungratful people.
Joseph:
The left-wing 'progressive' elements in this country automatically assume that they have the moral high ground. It's one of the unquestioned assumptions of the liberal paradigm. It probably derives from the idealism of the 60's, but is rarely re-examined. The idealism of the 60's came apart under the influence of drugs, and an 'anything goes' morality. Very few people ever questioned their own moral integrity, and simply assumed that their position was inherently superior. The Left has also fallen into the habit of demonizing the right, while blaming the right/conservatives for the same. There is no one more intolerant than a progressive of positions that he/she feels are intolerable.
You may want to ask yourself: Why can I not feel proud to be an American? Why is that?
I demonstrated against the war in Vietnam, but never liked the communists. Because I live in a 'liberal', 'progressive' community I know for a fact that most liberals and progressives are as mean, spiteful, intolerant, prejudiced and base as the conservatives that they criticize. I see it every day. It's simply human nature, for better or worse.
Politically I am an independent and I vote for whoever impresses me most, regardless of party.
In the final analysis one needs to learn to think for oneself and to judge everyone individually. Partisan politics are secondary considerations. The USA is the truly the 'beacon of light' to the world. But we have to live up to this ideal, not by demonizing our political opposition, but by learning to think for ourselves and to choose the high road at every juncture.
I value my US citizenship highly. It is an honor and a privilege and a responsibility to be an American. Keep the faith in the American Dream.
Mike H
Michael H. - Kudos to you! Every word resonates with me.
Joseph, Mike H & EPG
Joseph thank you for responding to my question as to why liberals hate America. Although, I disagree with just about everything you said I do appreciate your reply. EPG, I couldn't agree more Mike H comments on liberals were right on target. They should be published!
Looks like our old friend Hoodie has changed his name to "Kudos" because we were ignoring him. Sounds like his brand of bovine fecal matter. I suggest we ignore his new name too.
Hal
You have made a good observation. Let's debate and comment rationally, not lower ourselves to their level.