Curfew

It's the second day of curfew in Baghdad. We can't go anywhere, although the government who imposed the curfew is still scheduling press conferences.

On Thursday in a drive through Baghdad areas controlled by the Sadrists, followers of Shiite cleric Muqtada al Sadr, were sealed off either by the militia or Iraqi Security Forces. People trying to reach their homes got out of their cars and walked.

In parliament on Thursday Sadrists tried to speak about the battle in Basra, an offensive that began Tuesday mainly between Iraqi Security Forces and their militia, the Mahdi Army. They couldn't get enough votes to speak.

They disrupted the session screaming, "Maliki's a dictator," referring to the Iraqi Prime Minister. Ali al Adeeb, a lawmaker from Maliki's Dawa party spoke up.

"Let them speak, but let's do it in a civilized manner," he said.

The Sadrist lawmaker Falah Shanshal stood up.

"You're not civilized," he said. Then threw a water bottle at him. The session was adjourned.

While the government claims it is going after outlaws in Basra, the southern oil hub, it is clear they are targeting Mahdi Army controlled area. With the group under attack they are reacting and a freeze that Sadr put on his militia is unraveling.

Sadrists feel targeted and isolated among the Shiite parties. They believe that this battle is to undercut their reputation and popularity before the provincial elections in October. Their Shiite rival, the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq, (ISCI), retains control of much of the south but is far less popular than the Sadr trend. Provincial elections would take ISCI's monopoly on power in the south away.

While the President is calling this a "defining moment in the history of a free Iraq," he is not acknowledging that the battle is forcing the Mahdi Army to react in perceived self-defense. It's unraveling a months-long ceasefire that U.S. officials said was a huge factor in a drop in violence in Iraq. In Baghdad violence is climbing, two U.S. citizens were killed in attacks on the Green Zone.

Maliki will not backdown and the Mahdi Army will not disarm.

We'll see what the coming days bring.   

Comments

[billjpa]

The reports we are getting here in the states appears to be that the Maliki govt is and has been the decision maker in this latest conflict. That is, up to today-Sat the 29th. Your latest post is gives credence to the growing belief that once again, the US Govt is not professing the truth. We are left in the dark (as usual) and it is only as a result of postings such as yours that we are getting glimpses of the reality of todays Iraq.
As and example, what is the current food, water and power situations? Are you aware of US or CPI troops becomming involved in this current conflict? Have there been any noticable positive changes in the numbers of Iraqi citizen dislocations?
Please, if answers are available, there are alot of concerned folks That need to know!

[Dwight D. Leister:Chair]

When OBAMA is President everyone better run for The Syrian Border!

YOUR OONE YOUR OWN FOLKS!

[billjpa]

Bravo Ms F- just read your lead article re Iran assistance. If you are right,(and I don't doubt that you are)The implications are staggering!
I bet that the US reaction will be to increase the drum beat for war with Iran!!!!

[IceNine]

I've just discovered this. I will surely visit again. I must say that your photo makes you seem like the most unlikely war correspondent I have ever seen--especially the lovely smile and the merriment in your eyes.

I particularly value first-person journalism from the midst of chaos; it makes situations seem so much more real when told by an eyewitness with a journalists habit of factual story-telling, yet layered with a subtle texture of personal human response.
(I very much admire Robert Fisk's writing.)

Stay safe, be well. I look forward to reading more from you.