Iraq imposes emergency in Basra

News BBC

Iraqi PM Nouri Maliki has declared a month-long state of emergency in Basra, which has been plagued by sectarian clashes, anarchy and factional rivalry.

The prime minister has accused criminal gangs of holding the city's oil exports and other trade to ransom.

More than 100 people have died in the last month in Basra - until recently seen as one of Iraq's safer cities.

Relations between Basra's garrison of 8,000-odd British troops and the city's dominant Shias used to be cordial but have deteriorated rapidly in the past few months.

Nine British soldiers were killed in June alone.

Many Sunni mosques have also been closed amid rising sectarian divisions, and there are growing tensions among different Shia groups vying for political power and a share of the area's vast oil wealth, the BBC's Ian Pannell says.

A Shia faction has also threatened to sabotage oil exports through Basra to exert leverage over the Iraqi government.

Things are certainly Not looking Good for the UK Owned city of Basra.

The situation is rapidly deteriorating, and it looks like UK troops do not control anything.

Well it is certainly important to have the Only port in Iraq under control.

No Port - No Oil Tankers steaming towards West.

Souljah, I just want to thank you for this thread.

Its threads like these that bring light to the amazing effort the Iranian and Syrian backed terrorists are posing on the people of Iraq. The brutality they have implemented on the Iraqi civilians and coalitions forces is tremendous.

It’s unfortunate that the coalition has morals that don’t allow them to fight back with the ferocity that’s needed to destroy their terrorist enemy. The terrorists dont care about civilian casualties like the coalition does, so they don’t have the same restrictions and fire at will regardless of the result.

Thanks again for bringing this to light Souljah, the work you do here highlighting the valiant efforts of the coalition against the multi-government sponsored terrorists is noted


[edit on 31-5-2006 by skippytjc]

Originally posted by skippytjc
Souljah, I just want to thank you for this thread.

My pleasure skippster!

Its threads like these that bring light to the amazing effort the Iranian and Syrian backed terrorists are posing on the people of Iraq. The brutality they have implemented on the Iraqi civilians and coalitions forces is tremendous.

Errr, there are not Iranians or Syrians in Basra, Dude!

Post-war Basra

On September 19, 2005, two British soldiers were arrested by Iraqi police in Basra following a car chase. Police officials accused them of firing at police while dressed in civilian clothes. After being approached by Iraqi police, the two soldiers reportedly fired on the police, after which they were apprehended, which sparked clashes in which UK armoured vehicles came under attack. Two civilians were reportedly killed and three UK soldiers were injured. The arrests followed the detention of two high-ranking officials of Muqtada al-Sadr's Mahdi Army.

There is just on Man - Mister Al-Sadr.

All foreign terrorists, with every interest at heart but the Iraqi's:

Saudi fighters 'are leading the surge in attacks on British troops'

Foreign terrorists, led by fighters from Saudi Arabia, are behind an upsurge in attacks against British troops in Basra, military sources said yesterday.

As the Army suffered the highest number of fatal attacks in a month since the invasion of Iraq in 2003, commanders on the ground are concerned at the level of sophistication and ferocity of the assaults.

Thanks again Soul for letting us all in on these atrocities the terrorists are using to fight the coalition and Iraq's citizens in Basra.

Originally posted by skippytjc
Saudi fighters 'are leading the surge in attacks on British troops'

HEY! - isn't Saudi Arabia a Big USA Ally?

Wanna Carpet Bomb Riyadh - like you want Damascus and Teheran?

The Only Resistance in Basra is the Shia Militia, the Mahdi Army.

And I thought that Shia Iraqis are Friends with Coalition Forces.

Originally posted by skippytjc
All foreign terrorists, with every interest at heart but the Iraqi's:

These people were never there before this. That does not worry you in the least that they are growing in numbers? It proves further that this war on terror where no terror existed is only bringing in more and more recruits every day.
Even if Iran and Syria were helping those people. How many times have we ourselves inserted our technology , our funds, our "consultants" into foreign matters that didn't even concern us in Latin America, In Cuba, The Caribbean, In Asia. To the Governments being overthrown we were the same thorn in their side and no different. If it weren't for the French aiding us in the Revolutionary war maybe we might not be where we used to be and to where we should go back to being.

Skippy is giving an view not of yours. I think you are blind if you do not think Syria and Iran are not helping in this mess. The USA started this problem, but Syria and Iran are occupying and terrorizing too, but your beliefs will not permit you to see this obvious fact.

A couple trouble makers keeping a low profile but suppying weapons and IEDs knowing their countries will implode if democracy succeeds in Iraq, have a string stake in this.

Hey I think trying to create a democracy by invading is kind or defeats the purpose, that is the crappy situation we are in. But to deny Iran and Syria are not involved is quite silly.

Heres a related article its probaly not worth its own thread.

Defence confirmed last night that an Australian light armoured vehicle, which was part of a convoy escorting Japanese engineers back to base in the southern city of Samawah, had two tyres blown out. It was believed to have been an "improvised explosive device" and all Australians had been accounted for and were safe.

The soldiers had been providing security for the engineers. However, they will be deployed to other missions when the Japanese withdraw in the next two or three months.

SMH

Its seem like the ADF may be going to take a more active part in fighting the insurgency. It was only a matter of time before the insurgents targeted southern Iraq after all they couldnt let the place become secure.

I have a question.
Where are all the people who said that the political process was going to defeat the insurgency ?
As each day gose bye it looks more and more likely that people like me were right the insurgents dont want to be apart of the political process.

[edit on 1-6-2006 by xpert11]

Originally posted by Souljah
Things are certainly Not looking Good for the UK Owned city of Basra.

Not sure if the UK actually owns Basra. I know they are there, and have been in control for a while. I cannot find any info as to when the UK took ownership of Basra. (i hate google sometimes).

I do have knowledge that there have been Syrians and Iranians in Basra, that were arrested and detained, and no, i do not have any links to back that up.

Things are certainly Not looking Good for the UK Owned city of Basra.

Hmm, maybe the UKers are being too nice. Thats how I've allways heard it described, that the UKers are better at the 'hearts and mind' aspect. Maybe its time for the velvet glove to come off the iron fist and start pounding basra?