It looks like the battle against Moqtada al-Sadr might be about to get active as residents of Sadr City are told to leave their homes. If this happens I think it will be a battle that will go on for months and take place over a wide area. I also think that any small amount of violence against him and his followers would be enough to get intense waves of fighting in return and the possible withdrawl of his order to hold back.

I would support the removal of al-Sadr but he has so many followers that it would cause violence for at least a year and I don't know if Iraq, the US, or the world is ready to hear and see what that would look like. There would be the death of many innocents.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,354528,00.html

Iraqi soldiers for the first time warned residents in the embattled Sadr City district to leave their houses Thursday, signaling a new push by the U.S.-backed forces against Shiite extremist who have been waging street battles for seven weeks.

U.S. forces have increased air power and armored patrols in an attempt to cripple Shiite militia influence in Sadr City, a slum of 2.5 million people that serves as the Baghdad base for the Mahdi Army led by anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr.

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Well this could spell the end for the Mahdi Army, they always seem to get their ass's kicked when they go toe to toe.

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To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of the women

Did they look like psychos? Is that what they looked like? They were vampires. Psychos do not explode when sunlight hits them, I don't give a **** how crazy they are!

Taking down the Mahdi Army does not mean AlSadr gets whacked or arrested.Not all of his followers are militia members either.This is just a continuation of an ongoing operation to rid the country of criminals.Warning civilians that a large offensive is coming doesnt exactly sound like smart strategy but it is par for the course in Iraq where they are a considered in every action planning session.

At some point AlSadr will have to choose political or armed confrontation.If he chooses politics theres a good chanced he remains relevant.If he chooses to fight I predict he becomes isolated and then possibly done in.

Remember when Bush told those folks to leave N.O. the day before the big one and they didnt....I wonder if the Shia will listen to the soldiers.

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Last I heard, AlSadr is not in the country. Allowing civilians to leave Sadr City strikes me as a P.R. gesture. If all of the women and children actually left, the Iraqi government would not know what to do with them. They are only prepared to house and feed a couple thousand.
I think it is Sadr who wants to choose politics not confrontation. Sadr would gain, politically, in an election and his goals for the country do not line up with the hopes and dreams of the administration and the current Iraq government.

Last I heard, AlSadr is not in the country. Allowing civilians to leave Sadr City strikes me as a P.R. gesture. If all of the women and children actually left, the Iraqi government would not know what to do with them. They are only prepared to house and feed a couple thousand.

Hes no doubt in Iran,shocking.Of course the Iranians arent helping him out though.

Id say 'allowing' is a misrepresentation of the facts.Theyre being advised to go for their own safety.Without real numbers or actual humanitarian services available youre setting the table for an all out crisis.You imply that even tho the area is Shiite the Shiite dominated govt does not care for them? Just a PR stunt. Would you rather be homeless and hungry temporarily or dead forever?

I think it is Sadr who wants to choose politics not confrontation. Sadr would gain, politically, in an election and his goals for the country do not line up with the hopes and dreams of the administration and the current Iraq government.

At this point he probably does,he sees now the govt is serious about doing away with his militia.Its only natural that hes staying quiet and letting the IA/IP dispose of the criminal elements.However he has the power still at anytime to disband the militia and detatch himself completely from the military aspect of his movement.When that happens Ill concede hes looking for politics over violence.The Iraqi govt is already crafting legislation regarding banning political movement represented with militias so he may not even have a choice very soon.It will be politics or nothing.

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