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| Iraq |
| Armed groups in Basra begin handing in weapons |
| 2008-03-27 |
| (KUNA) -- Armed groups in the southern city of Basra began to turn their weapons in to security authorities on Wednesday, just hours after Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki declared a 72-hour ultimatum for them to drop their arms or face "the toughest penalties." A statement by the premier's office said some armed groups had started to hand in their weapons, but did not name the groups nor the volume of arms that were confiscated. Moreover, it said tribal leaders and heads of political factions had called the premier to express their support for his efforts to fight outlaws and gangs that were trying to destabilize Basra. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #3 i agree qith murcek they hand in a bunch of bullshit and keep on fighting |
| Posted by: sinse 2008-03-27 16:38 |
| #2 with an ongoing battle, and the city sealed (one hopes competently) against resupply, the short run is the priority here, and any weapon out of the hands of the J-M is good. Meanwhile the IA, with the help of tribal leaders, will detain the J-M leaders. Detaining all the foot soldiers is probably more than the state is capable of, and may not be good hearts and minds strategy. |
| Posted by: liberalhawk 2008-03-27 09:03 |
| #1 Pretty much the same as a "guns for toys" program here in the states. A lot of nonfunctional crap gets turned in, and the action in the streets goes on unabated. Only the lefty assholes who sponsor the thing think it's working... |
| Posted by: M. Murcek 2008-03-27 08:23 |