Cease-fire reported with Iraqi militants in Sadr City

BAGHDAD — Shiite groups brokered a reported cease-fire Saturday with militants fighting U.S. and Iraqi forces in Baghdad's Sadr City as the country's army launched an offensive in Mosul against al-Qaida's main bastion in Iraq.

Sheik Salah al-Obeidi, an aide to radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, said the cease-fire will go into effect Sunday. The cease-fire may not necessarily end the seven-week old clashes in Sadr City, the stronghold of al-Sadr's Mahdi Army, as U.S. military has blamed clashes on breakaway groups.

The bulk of the 60,000-strong Mahdi Army is not believed to have participated in the clashes. Instead the violence is blamed on splinter groups that have refused to honor a general cease-fire ordered by al-Sadr last August. Al-Sadr has directed his supporters to only fight when attacked.

Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh expressed support Saturday for efforts aimed at "achieving order and security in Sadr City."

"The agreement represents the government's vision to end armed displays and purge al-Sadr City from roadside bombs and mines and impose the law in the city," al-Dabbagh said in a statement.

"Iraqi security forces are the only force to achieve this and the government has the right to raid and search any place suspected of possessing heavy or medium weapons," al-Dabbagh said. "The government is also committed to chase all wanted people under the supervision of the prime minister."

There was no immediate comment from the U.S. military on the reported deal.

The newly announced cease-fire comes after government-backed Shiite envoys set strict demands for Shiite militias to end their battles against Iraqi and U.S. forces in a meeting with al-Sadr's supporters on Thursday.

"A 10-point agreement has been reached between members from the United Iraqi Alliance and Sadrist movement in Baghdad and we are informed that Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is committed to it," al-Obeidi said in the southern city of Najaf.

He added that "the agreement stipulates that the Mahdi Army will stop fighting in Sadr City and will stop displaying arms in public. In return, the government will stop random raids against al-Sadr followers and open all closed roads that lead to Sadr City."

Al-Obeidi said a joint committee will observe the implementation of the agreement and any violations by either side.

"This document does not call for disbanding al-Mahdi Army or laying down their arms," al-Obeidi said, rejecting a previous call by al-Maliki.

The clashes in Sadr City began in late March after al-Maliki, himself a Shiite, launched a crackdown against the Shiite armed groups in the southern city of Basra. Aid groups say at least 6,000 people have fled the homes in Sadr City to escape the fighting and seek help as food and medical supplies dwindle.

Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Riyadh Jalal Tawfiq, the commander of military operations in the northern city of Mosul, issued a statement on Saturday to announce that operation "Lion's Roar" against al-Qaida in Iraq was under way.

Mosul is considered the last important urban staging ground for al-Qaida in Iraq after losing its strongholds in Baghdad and other areas during the U.S. troop "surge" last year.

"Operation Lion's Roar is an Iraqi led, planned and executed operation, and is another example of the Iraqis' growing confidence and ability to independently carry out complex combat, police and humanitarian operations," said Maj. Peggy Kageleiry, a spokeswoman for U.S. forces in the north.

She added that U.S.-led Coalition forces "will provide advice, guidance and support as-requested by the Iraqi operational commander."

Al-Maliki has been promising a crackdown since last January. But no major offensives have been mounted even as al-Qaida in Iraq tried to exert its influence in Iraq's third-largest city through attacks and intimidation.

___

Associated Press writer Hamid Ahmed contributed to this report.

Comments

[GhostintheMachine]

More news you won't see on Huffpost.

Drive in Basra by Iraqi army makes gains
BY: Stephen Farrell and Ammar Karim, New York Times
05/12/2008


BASRA, Iraq " Three hundred miles south of Baghdad, the oil-saturated city of Basra has been transformed by its own surge, now seven weeks old.

In a rare success, forces loyal to Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki have largely quieted the city, to the initial surprise and growing delight of many inhabitants who only a month ago shuddered under deadly clashes between Iraqi troops and Shiite militias.

Just as in Baghdad, Iraqi and Western officials emphasize that the gains here are "fragile," like the newly planted roadside saplings that fail to conceal mounds of garbage and pools of foul-smelling water in the historic port city"s slums.

Among the many uncertainties are whether the government, criticized for incompetence at the start of the operation, can maintain the high level of troops here. But in interviews across Basra, residents overwhelmingly reported a substantial improvement in their everyday lives.

"The circle of fear is broken," said Shaker, owner of a floating restaurant on Basra"s famed Corniche promenade, who, although optimistic, was still afraid to give his full name, as were many of those interviewed.

Hopes for a similar outcome in Baghdad"s Sadr City district were undercut when an Iraqi armored unit was struck by three roadside bombs on Sunday, one day after a cease-fire there was negotiated.

[GhostintheMachine]

Some news you won't see on Huffpost

BAGHDAD--There's a place in this city, amid the snarled checkpoints and mazes of blast walls and general anxiety, where families still gather for picnics, teenage boys kick around soccer balls, young couples canoodle furtively under trees and children bury their faces in cotton candy.

Zawra Park, a sprawling, 250-acre public park in central Baghdad, is one of the few open spaces left in the capital. It's seeing a resurgence of visitors, thanks to improved security in central Baghdad, even as car bombings and mortar attacks continue to strike just a few blocks away.

U.S. armed forces have helped to refurbish the park, spending $2.5 million over the past two years to upgrade restrooms, sewage, security equipment and other facilities -- primarily in a small, 17-acre zoo housing a small collection of animals. The work was done by Army soldiers with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the 101st Airborne Division, which is responsible for security in the section of the city that includes the park.

[LorettaSingbiel]

"Operation Lion's Roar (against al-Qaida in Iraq) is an Iraqi led, planned and executed operation, and is another example of the Iraqis' growing confidence and ability to independently carry out complex combat, police and humanitarian operations,"

GREAT! NOW can we leave Iraq?

NO! NOT until we get their OIL!

We're "spreading democracy" one drop of blood (AND OIL) at a time.

We SHOULDN'T have "totally obliterated" IRAQ ...
We SHOULDN'T be threatening to "totally obliterate" IRAN ...

We SHOULD drag Bin Laden out of PAKISTAN ... and call it a day!

OBAMA '08! (IF it's not too late!)
HOPE & CHANGE!

Stay safe, healthy and happy,
Love, Loretta

[GhostintheMachine]

I thought we were taking their oil?


BAGHDAD: Iraq will invite 35 international oil companies to bid for oil and gas service contracts soon, an oil ministry spokesman said on Monday.

Iraq holds the world's third-largest oil reserves and needs billions of dollars of investment to overhaul energy infrastructure and increase oil and gas output after years of sanctions and war.

"The ministry will declare the first round of bidding in the coming period," Asim Jihad, the spokesman, said. "The oil ministry is acting urgently to develop oil fields and increase crude production."

Fields from all regions of Iraq would be offered in the first round, he said, declining to give specific details.

Oil is Iraq's main source of income, and boosting output is key to earning the cash the country needs for reconstruction. Iraq produces around 2.3 million barrels per day of oil, and has 115 billion barrels of proven crude reserves.

http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/04/14/business/14iraqoil.php

[Durango]

I think Bin Ladin is hidden away in Yemen. Amongst his family. After all, blood is much thicker than water especially in the ME.

Doesn't mean we shouldn't drag Zawahiri and the rest of their crew out of Pakistan.

Seeing as the (mostly) Arab fighters of Al Qaida did not have a good reputation in Afghanistan among the locals. And seeing as they are being hidden by mostly Pashtun tribesmen with no clan or blood ties. Probably in exchange for money (most likely supplied by Saudi and Gulf financiers).

Doesn't that seem like a relationship ripe for treachery?

[SamEllison]

I was reading a MediaMatters email today about the AP and its uneven reporting.
Here is an example in this article: "Mosul is considered the last important urban staging ground for al-Qaida in Iraq after losing its strongholds in Baghdad and other areas during the U.S. troop 'surge' last year."
"Associated Press writer Hamid Ahmed contributed to this report."

Al-Qaida(?) lost its strongholds because the Sunnis decided to get rid of them, the "surge" had nothing to do with it. But during is the trick.

[Grannybj]

Seems despite the Iraqis willingness to cease fire, the Americans just keep firing.

[livetotell]

Since the Iraqi Army went to Basra , the GreenZone has been attacked everyday with rocket and morter fire from Sadr City . Here are some of the terms of surrender :

¢ The Iraqi government and the Mahdi Army would observe a four-day cease-fire.
¢ At the end of the cease-fire, Iraqi forces would be allowed to enter Sadr City and conduct arrests if warrants have been issued, or if the Mahdi Army is in possession of medium or heavy weapons (RPGs, rockets, mortars).
¢ The Mahdi Army and the Sadrist bloc must recognize the Iraqi government has control over the security situation and has the authority to move security forces to impose the law.
¢ The Mahdi Army would end all attacks, including mortar and rockets strikes against the International Zone.
¢ The Mahdi Army must clear Sadr City of roadside bombs.
¢ The Mahdi Army must close all "illegal courthouses."
¢ The Iraqi government would reopen the entrances to Sadr City.
¢ The Iraqi government would provide humanitarian aid to the residents of Sadr City.

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2008/05/sadrist_bloc_buckles.php

[livetotell]

Electric Ave. , Sadr City style.
http://mypetjawa.mu.nu/archives/192683.php