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2007-09-25 Iraq

Basra Boomer Shows Shiites Safer With Sadr

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Posted by Bobby 2007-09-25 13:02|| || Front Page|| [3 views ] Top
File under: al-Qaeda in Iraq

#1 Michael Yon Is Headed To Basra

Posted by: Hugh Hewitt at 9:19 AM
When conditions improved dramatically in al-Anbar, defeatists in the U.S, talked up the alleged collapse of Basra into chaos. I asked Mahor General Simmons, Deputy Commander General of Multinational Forces for Support, about the reports. He replied:

They are not accurate, and that is a fabrication at best. This was a planned turnover of the Palace and the PJCC to Iraqi control, to the Iraqi legitimate government forces. It was done to standard with, and to well-trained, well-equipped Iraqi Security Forces. There were some peaceful demonstrations that were celebratory in nature, but at no time was any Coalition forces threatened, and the local Iraqi officials under General Mohan, kept a good handle on the situation in Basra.

We'll soon have excellent reporting from Basra as Michael Yon is headed that way. I spoke with Yon yesterday.

HH: Are you headed back into Iraq tonight?

MY: Yes. Im in Kuwait right now, should be in Iraq probably in the next ten hours or so, and Ill stay for another long haul. First, Ill go with the British down in Basra, stay with them for a month. Then Ill go with the United States Air Force, and then Im going to head back with an Infantry unit.

HH: Now tell me, Im glad youre going to Basra, because weve heard so many stories out of Basra about whether or not its all gone to hell in a hand basket after the withdrawal of the British back from a forward deployment. What are you hearing prior to your deployment there?

MY: I dont think those reports are accurate. You know, I was just over in London, and also, Ive been with the British before in Basra earlier this year, and the reality, its probably time for them to draw down their forces. I think theyre doing the prudent thing. Theyve got a huge commitment in Afghanistan, and their army is a lot smaller than ours is. And the problems in Basra are not like the problems in other places. I dont see it as aits not like a crack in the egg. In fact, I hate to make predictions too far in advance, but I would not doubt that we would see a very precipitous drop in violence over the next few months throughout Iraq as more and more people come to the table. You know, out in Diyala Province, 20 of the 25 major tribes just signed an agreement to work with the Coalition and the Iraqi Army, so thats tremendous. I mean, we see people in Nineveh Province starting to rise up against al Qaeda. Everybody is coming to the realization, many people are coming to the realization that its time for a change. You know, we made some mistakes early on, and we learned from them. Our own military has just morphed in the last couple of years, and they work very well with most of the Iraqis now, and the Iraqis have learned how to work with us. Hugh, I just wouldnt doubt it to see that in the future, Iraq is actually going to be a good ally of the United States.

Posted by Sherry 2007-09-25 14:02|| 2007-09-25 14:02|| Front Page Top

#2 I sure would hate for ol' snagglepuss to be right, Sherry, but I like the perspective of Yon!

Posted by Bobby 2007-09-25 16:12|| 2007-09-25 16:12|| Front Page Top

#3 The Shiites definitely have some things to work out among themselves. Remember that during the Mehdi revolt, they tortured and murdered a lot of the faction of the Shiites who are now in power; and those memories are still fresh.

We will probably just insure that the payback is one sided, and done with reasonable calmness.

Posted by Anonymoose 2007-09-25 16:41|| 2007-09-25 16:41|| Front Page Top

#4 Al-Queer vs. Mookie.

Truly an epic battle is about to unfold.
Let them decimate each other then we'll move in and
"take their oil". Karl Rove and Tricky Dick Cheney have GOT to be behind a caper like this.

Posted by bigjim-ky 2007-09-25 17:14|| 2007-09-25 17:14|| Front Page Top

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