The WaPo editorial today asks whether it's bad news that the Iraqi government uses its own army to fight Shiite militias.
"Those who portray every development in Iraq as negative described the fighting as proof of worsening sectarianism or as a negation of the improved security achieved in the past six months."
Of course the critics portray it those terms.
"In fact, it was neither," the editorial says. "After a cease-fire Sunday, the fighting in Basra and elsewhere in Iraq quickly subsided; even with the temporary spike in violence, Iraqi and U.S. fatalities in March were one-third to one-half of what they were a year ago."
The WaPo writer urges those who continue to present it as a victory for Moktada Al Sadr to rethink their assessment.
"Similar assessments after inconclusive U.S. battles with the Mahdi Army in 2004 proved unfounded, and in this instance Mr. Sadr was obliged to publicly disown 'anyone carrying a weapon and targeting government institutions'."
This Arabic report says Moktada Al Sadr is seriously considering disbanding the Mahdi mlitia. The story says Al Sadr has been under a lot of pressure, and his militia has been characterized by Iraq's prime minister as worse than al-Qaeda.
Al Sadr's response is to call for a nationwide demonstration next week to protest the U.S. occupation. Let's see how many people show up this time. Last time he called for a march, the response wasn't impressive.
"Those who portray every development in Iraq as negative described the fighting as proof of worsening sectarianism or as a negation of the improved security achieved in the past six months."
Of course the critics portray it those terms.
"In fact, it was neither," the editorial says. "After a cease-fire Sunday, the fighting in Basra and elsewhere in Iraq quickly subsided; even with the temporary spike in violence, Iraqi and U.S. fatalities in March were one-third to one-half of what they were a year ago."
The WaPo writer urges those who continue to present it as a victory for Moktada Al Sadr to rethink their assessment.
"Similar assessments after inconclusive U.S. battles with the Mahdi Army in 2004 proved unfounded, and in this instance Mr. Sadr was obliged to publicly disown 'anyone carrying a weapon and targeting government institutions'."
This Arabic report says Moktada Al Sadr is seriously considering disbanding the Mahdi mlitia. The story says Al Sadr has been under a lot of pressure, and his militia has been characterized by Iraq's prime minister as worse than al-Qaeda.
Al Sadr's response is to call for a nationwide demonstration next week to protest the U.S. occupation. Let's see how many people show up this time. Last time he called for a march, the response wasn't impressive.
