Iraq War: The bloody reality today - Sky TV News
Mehdi Army fighters in Sadr City - the new rulers of Iraq not the USA or UK army or their government!Iraq Army Battles Rebels In Basra.
At least 22 people have been killed and dozens more injured during running street battles in Basra as Iraqi forces fight for control of the oil-rich city.
A hospital source said "tens of wounded" were arriving at hospitals and that some were too busy to accept more casualties.
Witnesses reported seeing large clouds of black smoke and hearing the sound of explosions and machine-gun fire.
Television pictures showed Iraqi troops running through empty streets and taking cover.
The operation targeted six districts in central and northern Basra where the Mehdi Army militia of Shi'ite cleric Muqtada al Sadr has a strong presence.
Gunmen and police clashed in the southern city of Kut, where last week Mehdi Army fighters battled police.
Witnesses reported seeing large clouds of black smoke and hearing the sound of explosions and machine-gun fire.
Television pictures showed Iraqi troops running through empty streets and taking cover.
The operation targeted six districts in central and northern Basra where the Mehdi Army militia of Shi'ite cleric Muqtada al Sadr has a strong presence.
Gunmen and police clashed in the southern city of Kut, where last week Mehdi Army fighters battled police.
The streets were empty and shops closed. Police said a curfew had been imposed.
In Baghdad's Sadr City, a sprawling slum of about two million people that is Sadr's biggest stronghold, residents said armed Mehdi Army fighters had appeared on the streets and ordered Iraqi police and soldiers to get out of the district.
In several other districts, Mehdi Army militiamen continued what they called a "civil disobedience campaign", forcing shops to shut, and threatened a nationwide revolt.
Hundreds of protesters marched in two districts demanding the release of Sadrists in detention, witnesses said.
In Baghdad's Sadr City, a sprawling slum of about two million people that is Sadr's biggest stronghold, residents said armed Mehdi Army fighters had appeared on the streets and ordered Iraqi police and soldiers to get out of the district.
In several other districts, Mehdi Army militiamen continued what they called a "civil disobedience campaign", forcing shops to shut, and threatened a nationwide revolt.
Hundreds of protesters marched in two districts demanding the release of Sadrists in detention, witnesses said.
The Basra operation was launched after Prime Minister Nuri al Maliki visited Basra and vowed to reimpose his government's control over the city (ED: so there is NO control despite 4,000+ UK soldiers sitting at the airfield due to 'job done'! So now we know the media and BBC lied to us all!).
Mr al Maliki stayed on to oversee the operation, which drew troop reinforcements from across Iraq.
Iraqi army Major-General Ali Zaidan, the commander of Iraqi ground forces in the operation, said the offensive started at dawn and would continue "until we achieve our target".
"This is the first time that the Iraqi government has moved to show its in control in Basra, a city seen as largely under the control of the militias," said Sky News foreign affairs correspondent Lisa Holland.
Mr al Maliki stayed on to oversee the operation, which drew troop reinforcements from across Iraq.
Iraqi army Major-General Ali Zaidan, the commander of Iraqi ground forces in the operation, said the offensive started at dawn and would continue "until we achieve our target".
"This is the first time that the Iraqi government has moved to show its in control in Basra, a city seen as largely under the control of the militias," said Sky News foreign affairs correspondent Lisa Holland.
"The fact that Nouri al Maliki has gone to Basra himself to over see the operation is significant - showing that Basra is part of Iraq and not lost to Shia control in the south and the central government of Baghdad.
"It's a huge operation - additional troops have been brought from Baghad from Iraqi army to back up those in Basra.
"The Iraqi security forces have been building up their numbers and their capability."
A spokesman told Sky News that British soldiers were "supporting the operation" from outside the city.
"The Iraqis are fully responsible for security in Basra. We do not go into the city," he said.
"We have troops outside the city supporting the operation. Their role is to put a presence on the ground outside the city. It is a routine deployment."
"It's a huge operation - additional troops have been brought from Baghad from Iraqi army to back up those in Basra.
"The Iraqi security forces have been building up their numbers and their capability."
A spokesman told Sky News that British soldiers were "supporting the operation" from outside the city.
"The Iraqis are fully responsible for security in Basra. We do not go into the city," he said.
"We have troops outside the city supporting the operation. Their role is to put a presence on the ground outside the city. It is a routine deployment."
Bloody Battles On Basra's Streets - Watch in video player page
Learn More below:
Link: Video: Four Thousand US Dead 20/03/08 - dur: 01:31 - Sky News
Link: US Death Toll Tops 4,000 24/03/08 - Sky News
Author of article: Sky TV News
Home page of article: Sky TV News
Full Story - read the full article
Learn More below:
Link: Video: Four Thousand US Dead 20/03/08 - dur: 01:31 - Sky News
Link: US Death Toll Tops 4,000 24/03/08 - Sky News
Author of article: Sky TV News
Home page of article: Sky TV News
Full Story - read the full article
posted by Neil Williams @ 1:12 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home