The idea that Muqtada al-Sadr should merely be arrested is a joke. He needs to be killed outright. They say that we must use a rapier instead of a sledgehammer when it comes to putting down al-Sadr's militia forces ---for fear of provoking a national outrage in Iraq if there's too much collateral damage--- but, at some point, that cannot be helped. The citizenry of these Sunni cities cannot be left to feel safe and beyond harm when they harbor insurgents and terrorists. Let them experience some heavy pounding and then we'll see just whose side they want to be on.
Remember: we're not going anywhere. Even when we hand over the reins of government to the Iraqis on 30 June, we're still going to be there and still be responsible for that country's security. Everybody knows it. An outrage or two now will make our job a lot easier in the long run. If any other cleric wants to stir the shit in the future, he'll think twice before he does. But the example must be made now. Tell Sistani we'll have his back if he'll help us get rid of this Iranian-owned turd.
Pacify, pacify.
CORRECTION: A reader writes to remind me that these are Shi'ite, and not Sunni, cities where the Shi'ite cleric al-Sadr and his militia are engaged in insurgency. Although I do know that latter fact, the onrush of the events of the past several days has exposed my basic ignorance of Iraqi geography. But I'm learning fast. I fear we will all soon learn some more about Iraqi geography.
Posted by Toby Petzold
at 5:33 PM CDT
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Updated: Wednesday, 7 April 2004 3:02 AM CDT
Updated: Wednesday, 7 April 2004 3:02 AM CDT