Shiite's hand over weapons

Followers of radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr promised the government last weekend they would hand over medium and heavy weapons for cash in a deal considered an important step toward ending weeks of fighting with U.S. and Iraqi forces in Sadr City. Iraqi police and National Guardsmen will then assume security responsibility for the district, which is home to more than 2 million people.

In return, the government has pledged to start releasing al-Sadr followers who have not committed crimes, suspend raids and rebuild the war-ravaged slum.

Members of al-Sadr's Mahdi Army started showing up at three designated police stations early Monday morning, carting bags full of guns and explosives � even TNT paste. Many of the weapons appeared old and rusted, but government officials expressed satisfaction with the first day's haul.

"Sadr City residents were very responsive, and the process went without any incidents," Interior Ministry spokesman Col. Adnan Abdul-Rahman said. "We hope this will be completed in a comprehensive manner so that reconstruction can start in the city."

Security was tight, with numerous checkpoints set up along the way and Iraqi troops deployed on the rooftops. U.S. soldiers also watched from a distance.

Abdul al-Nawaf pulled up in front of al-Habibiya station in a white sedan and started unloading machine guns, mortar shells and grenade launchers.

"We have more, but we're waiting to see whether money will be paid or not," the 26-year-old fighter said. "We also want to see if there will be a truce � and whether that truce will last."

He appeared disappointed when police handed him a receipt and told him to come back later to collect his cash.

Militia fighters started arriving in larger numbers once officials turned up with cash to pay them. Rates ranged from $5 for a hand grenade to $1,000 for a heavy-caliber machine gun.

"We are fed up with fighting," said Hassan Kadhim, 31, as he unloaded guns and mortar rounds from a pickup truck. He hoped to use the money to start a business.

www.usatoday.com...


Get your boots on boys and be sure not to step in all the bulls$it. Talk about your election time BS. These aren't fighters. These are guys turning in crap for cash. The real supply of arms will come across the border continuously and from those who are serious about the fighting - over a million strong.

Also before any of you freak - yes it's great weapons are being turned in. Getting one hand grenade off the street that could be used against an American is great. However, this is a media ploy for Bush just advertising and weighed against the overall 'insurgents' won't make a dent as the real guerillas won't be turning in anything except o buy better equipment at a cheaper price from Syria.




[edit on 11-10-2004 by vincere7]

I find it amusing that these same guys who the US has been fighting for months are now getting thousands of dollars each for old, crappy weapons..


Now, what i would do if I had an old, crappy gun and this happened, would be to trade it in, and buy myself a big, shiny new gun....

Just a thought.....

Covered here:
www.abovetopsecret.com...

Thread closed.