The U.S. military conducted a raid in Mosul, resulting in the deaths of eight suspected al-Qaida members, with ongoing efforts to confirm if terror leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was among them. The raid was initiated based on intelligence regarding the presence of top al-Qaida operatives. Concurrently, insurgent attacks resulted in the deaths of an American soldier, a Marine, and a British soldier. Discussions also highlighted the potential for Muqtada al-Sadr to rise in influence should al-Zarqawi be confirmed dead, emphasizing the complex dynamics of power in Iraq.
PREREQUISITESMilitary analysts, political scientists, historians, and individuals interested in Middle Eastern geopolitics will benefit from this discussion.
BAGHDAD, Iraq - U.S. forces sealed off a house in the northern city of Mosul where eight suspected al-Qaida members died in a gunfight — some by their own hand to avoid capture. A U.S. official said Sunday that efforts were under way to determine if terror leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was among the dead.
Insurgents, meanwhile, killed an American soldier and a Marine in separate attacks over the weekend, while a British soldier was killed by a roadside bomb in the south.
In Washington, a U.S. official said the identities of the terror suspects killed in the Saturday raid was unknown. Asked if they could include al-Zarqawi, the official replied: "There are efforts under way to determine if he was killed."
The official spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the information.
On Saturday, police Brig. Gen. Said Ahmed al-Jubouri said the raid was launched after a tip that top al-Qaida operatives, possibly including al-Zarqawi, were in the house in the northeastern part of the city.
Maybe we'll see a Moqtada al Sadr comeback?kat said:hmmm... If so...who will take his place.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muqtada_al-SadrMuqtada al-Sadr (Arabic: مقتدى الصدر, also transliterated as Moqtada Alsadr) (born c. 1974) is the son of the famous Iraqi Shia cleric Mohammad Sadeq al-Sadr. As of early 2004, he was the de facto ruler of the Sadr City section of Baghdad and commanded the loyalty of the Mahdi Army, an insurgent force making a bid for power in Iraq. Clashes with U.S. forces in April were followed by a truce in June, and mixed signals from al-Sadr after his promises to disband his militia and become involved in the political process. The Coalition Provisional Authority had on several occasions threatened to arrest al-Sadr, and in early April 2004 issued an arrest warrant, alleging his involvement in a homicide. U.S. military commanders expressing an intention to "capture or kill" him. Al-Sadr had agreed to disband his army and join the political process, and he was given assurances that he would not face arrest and be allowed to stand in the 2005 elections. However, tensions rose again in August, and U.S. and Iraqi forces decided to move against al-Sadr and neutralize him.
This is why we cannot win this through force. As long as there are others willing to fill the vacancies. As long as we continue our Imperialistic foreign policy there will always be others willing to fight.kat said:hmmm... If so...who will take his place.
Wow, that's pretty young for someone with his kind of power and following ! I'd thought he was at least in his 40s. Guess not.Astro said:Muqtada al-Sadr (Arabic: مقتدى الصدر, also transliterated as Moqtada Alsadr) (born c. 1974)