Iraq: August 8, 2004

Archives

Muqtada al Sadr has been forced to plead with the government for a ceasefire. Coalition troops, particularly American marines, are destroying the Sadr militia's. The government is letting Sadr wait, wanting to get the best terms from the rebellious, and unreliable, Shia religious leader. Moreover, many of Sadr's armed supporters appear to be operating largely on their own. A lot of these guys are operating like bandits, proclaiming allegiance to  Muqtada al Sadr while doing whatever they like.  

Despite attempts to establish friendly relations with Iran, four Iranian secret agents were arrested in Baghdad today. The men were thought to be involved in supporting armed attacks on the government. While the majority Iranians support democracy in Iran and Iraq, a minority of Islamic conservatives and radicals in Iran have, by law, veto power over the government and control of the police, courts and armed forces. The Iranian Islamic radicals are trying to build nuclear weapons, derail the establishment of democracy in Iraq, and support the establishment of a religious dictatorship in Iraq. 

The government officially offered an amnesty to Iraqis, but does not apply to those who have participated in killing, kidnapping, raping, looting, sabotaging, bombings or arson. It also does not apply to those who have been arrested or be currently involved in have legal proceedings for criminal acts.

 

X

ad

Help Keep Us From Drying Up

We need your help! Our subscription base has slowly been dwindling.

Each month we count on your contributions. You can support us in the following ways:

  1. Make sure you spread the word about us. Two ways to do that are to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
  2. Subscribe to our daily newsletter. We’ll send the news to your email box, and you don’t have to come to the site unless you want to read columns or see photos.
  3. You can contribute to the health of StrategyPage.
Subscribe   Contribute   Close