Al-Sadr: Attack U.S. Troops In Iraq

Once-Powerful Shiite Cleric Calls For Retaliation Over U.S. Role In Gaza Confilct

(AP)  Anti-U.S. cleric Muqtada al-Sadr on Wednesday urged reprisals against American forces in Iraq to protest Israel's Gaza offensive, as Arab anger grows over civilian deaths in the Palestinian territory.

The strongly worded statement signaled a threat by al-Sadr's militia fighters to renew violence against American troops after months of relative calm.

It was unclear, however, just how much influence the once-powerful Shiite leader - who is believed to be in Iran - still has. His fighters have been hit hard in U.S.-Iraqi military operations over the past year.

The U.S. State Department dismissed al-Sadr's calls, describing them as "outrageous."

"Any call for attacks against Americans is outrageous and, frankly, not worthy of much more comment," deputy State Department spokesman Robert Wood told reporters. "Outside calls to attack Americans for what's going on in the region are outrageous."

The Bush administration held off Wednesday from backing an Egyptian-French cease-fire proposal in Gaza, saying it was exploring other options to secure a lasting agreement that would end the violence.

Iraqis have expressed outrage over the Israeli offensive and what is perceived as U.S. inaction, holding protests to show solidarity with the Palestinians. The issue has again put the spotlight on Iraq's relations with Israel as the two countries remain technically at war.

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki expressed "great pain and sorrow" over the Israeli offensive and accused the international community of ignoring the plight of the Palestinians.

"It is regrettable that this brutal crime continues with the silence of the international community," he told reporters Tuesday.

He called on other Arab and Muslim nations to "abolish diplomatic relations" with Israel and to "stop all public and clandestine contacts with this murderous regime." Only two Arab countries, Egypt and Jordan, have peace treaties with Israel.

In his own statement, al-Sadr said more action was needed "due to the continuation of Arab silence and the massacres committed by the Zionist enemy under U.S. and international cover."

"I call upon the honest Iraqi resistance to carry out revenge operations against the great accomplice of the Zionist enemy," he said, using rhetoric referring to the United States and Israel.

He also urged that Palestinian flags be raised on mosques, churches and buildings in Iraq and that all countries close Israeli embassies.

Al-Sadr and his militiamen have been staunch opponents of the U.S. presence in Iraq and waged fierce battles in 2004 followed by years of sectarian violence. He ordered his fighters to stand down in 2007 but retained a smaller force.

But his movement's popularity has suffered with the involvement of some militiamen in protection and black market rackets, as well as general fatigue from on-again, off-again fighting.

Israel says it launched the offensive to end rocketing by the Islamic militant group Hamas that has traumatized southern Israel.

Palestinian and U.N. figures show that about 300 of the more than 670 Palestinians killed so far have been civilians.

Israel has lost six soldiers since launching a ground offensive on Saturday - four in "friendly fire" incidents - and four other Israelis have been killed by rocket fire since fighting began on Dec. 27.

In Jordan, meanwhile, two Iraqi planes carrying several tons of medicine, medical supplies, blankets and water reserves containers to be sent to Gaza, landed in Amman airport Tuesday, the Iraqi Red Crescent said.

Rasoul Khedayer, the agency's representative in Jordan, said "Iraq will continue to bring aid supplies to the people of Gaza and will fly more than 10 planes in the coming few days into Jordan."

Also Wednesday, hundreds of thousands of Shiites joined processions to honor the martyrdom of one of their most revered saints. More than 30,000 policemen and soldiers were deployed in Baghdad, Karbala and on roads between the two cities to guard the ceremonies.

[harp1963]

Dear Towel Heads,

Our support for Israel is unconditional. Sorry.

If we''re gettin'' threatened by this guy, then we''re doin'' somethin'' right..

[nothappyatall]

"Outside calls to attack Americans for what''s going on in the region are outrageous."

Oh yeah like what the BUSH REGIME has been doing the last 6 years there hasn''t been worse eh?

I hope this Al Sadr dude motivates a renewed civil war over there and kicks our teeth in. If this moron BUSH had removed us from over there already then nothing would happen, but since we are STILL THERE we make ourselves a target.
Thank doG that nut is out in 12 days and hopefully Obama can start yanking us out ASAP

[patriotic9]

I''''''''''''''''ve been telling you all, and telling you, and telling you -- supporting Israel directly HURTS OUR COUNTRY -- and THIS is conclusive proof!!!!

Posted by hungry681 at 12:39 AM : Jan 08, 2009
+ report abuse
''''
Excuse me, but al-Sadr is in Iraq, did you forget or something?

Posted by TexHillGirl at 12:57 AM : Jan 08, 2009

Are you related to Sarah Palin?
Don''t you know that none of the hijackers in 9/11 were from Palestine but they took revange of US support to the existance of Israel on Palestinian land, far away from the Concentration Camps in Germany, by attacking WTC and Pentagon?
By supporting the existance of Israel on Palestine, far away from the Concentration Camps in Germany, we are not making only poor Palestinians our enemies but extremely oil rich people with a lot of resources.
We can not win in Iraq, Afghanistan or any other country in the world as long as we continue sacrifising GOD-NEGLECTED AMERICAN MONEY, LIVES and UNHOLY LAND "UNITED STATES" for a NON-AMERICAN CAUSE, NON-AMERICAN PEOPLE chosen by a RACIST, UNJUST and ANTI-AMERICAN GOD and NON-AMERICAN so-called HOLY LAND far away from any state or territory of the United States.
Do you care about American interests or America is not a HOLY LAND for you?

[nothappyatall]

"Al-Sadr: Attack U.S. Troops In Iraq
Once-Powerful Shiite Cleric Calls For Retaliation Over U.S. Role In Gaza Confilct"

Ive been telling you all, and telling you, and telling you -- supporting Israel directly HURTS OUR COUNTRY -- and THIS is conclusive proof!!!!

Posted by hungry681

What the hel1 do you think caused 9/11? this is EXACTLY what osama cited as reasons WHY he ordered the attacks on 9/11, I swear isreal is going to get us into WW3, this damnable swab of land isnt worth it, NUKE it andsolve their problems FOR THEM once and for all I''m tired of being israels GUARD DOG!

[patriotic9]

how about this...this is a consclusive proof that arabs would declare jihad for ''''looking at them the wrong way''''...a bunch of ANIMALS

Posted by MrNegrodamus at 12:46 AM : Jan 08, 2009

Arabs are the ones who give us oil in cheap prices and psychotic Radical Christians in return support their those enemies who were brought into Palestine after WWII to occupy the land of those Palestinians by force who can''t even speak the language spoken by Hitler.
We can not fool the whole world in the name of people being GOD-CHOSEN or GOD-NEGLECTED based on the RACE or FAMILY they are born in, like Americans have been fooled for centuries.
Survival of the United States is based on complete seperation of church and state!

[powmadeak47]

why isn''t Obama talking about charging Bush and the rest of the Israel-lovers w/ treason.
They put Israel 1st every day

[rusure5]

It looks like the behavior of the Israelis is going to lead to the deaths of more US soldiers.

Most Americans seem to agree that ending US tax dollar subsidies to Israel would be a good first step towards reigning in the Israelis.

[rusure5]

Re: "why isn''t Obama talking about charging Bush and the rest of the Israel-lovers w/ treason.
They put Israel 1st every day"

Posted by powmadeak47

Mr. Obama seems to be part of the problem, in this respect.

[rusure5]

Re: "It was unclear, however, just how much influence the once-powerful Shiite leader...still has."

It sounds like this is about to become much more clear.

[ballpen1]

I hate that no politician (and in this case Al-Sadr must be counted as one) will ever reveal their true motives for rousing trouble: POWER!

They will make up any excuse, will tell any lie just so they can be "leaders" and reap the rewards (like, not having to sit in a foxhole with bullets flying all around you).

And then, after the f***ed everything up, they "take the consequences" and resign (to a live in luxury on their ill-gotten gains).

And what''s most amazing about this: it happens in north, south, east and west, it happens in democratic, communist and anarchistic societies, it happend 2000 BC and 2000 AD.

It seems to be human nature, and i hate it. I will not follow you. Dig your own graves, count me out, you loudmouth, no-good political hacks!

[wardoglrs]

We just cant mind our own bees wax and what always follows is more hate created out of disobeying the law of the land your Forefathers warned about this and alot of other thing''s that the US government doesn''t do by law under the constitution.

"Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by rulers as useful." ~Seneca the Younger (c. 4BC - 65 AD) Roman Philosopher,

Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add ''within the limits of the law'' because law is often but the tyrant''s will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual. - Thomas Jefferson

[ballpen1]

Dear Towel Heads,
...
Posted by harp1963 at 12:40 AM : Jan 08, 2009

Do you think that name-calling is going to win the hearts and minds of the Iraqis? Do you think your comments strenghten the standing of our country in the eyes of the world?

Or wouldn''t you rather shut up, crawl in your spiderhole and wait till the PC-aware people are out of office again and you redneck warmongers can reemerge? In that case a little tip: your canned goods might not be sufficient to sustain you that long...

[rusure5]

The people of Iraq have an inherent right to defend themselves.

They really don''t need any other justification.

Good luck to them.

[wardoglrs]

Peace, commerce and honest friendship with all nations; entangling alliances with none.
Thomas Jefferson

The Democracy will cease to exist when you take from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not "TJ"

The Natural progress of things for liberty to yield and government to gain ground "TJ"

"Reform cannot be achieved by a well-intentioned leader who recruits his followers from the very people whose moral confusion is the cause of the disorder." - Socrates


A democracy is nothing more than mob rule, where fifty-one percent of the people may take away the rights of the other forty-nine. - Thomas Jefferson

[ballpen1]

Mr. Obama seems to be part of the problem, in this respect.

Posted by rusure5 at 01:32 AM : Jan 08, 2009

Well, what did you expect? Florida has 27 electoral votes, anybody not voicing his full support of Israel is going to loose there (and elsewhere, like NY). Ever heared of AIPAC? What do you think these guys do, sit in a circle and spin a dreidel? You can''t get elected in the U.S. without the jewish vote (and money, influence, blessing etc.), and that means you have to support Israel, like it or not.

Only way out of this would be both parties declaring (long before an election) they no longer want to be involved in this never ending conflict in the ME. Donations would drop like a rock, but since this would hit both parties it''s OK (these guys hatch their bets, you can count on it).

But if you try to get the parties to agree on such a thing you will not only not succeed but instead be outed as the greatest anti-semite since Hitler. Hence we are played by that powerful lobby every election cycle, hence we allways have skin in the game somewhere in the ME...

[rusure5]

Re: "Well, what did you expect?"

Posted by ballpen1

What we are witnessing is pretty much what I expected, but if Zionists are able to maintain their stranglehold on our government for much longer, our chances for surviving for much longer don''t look very good.

[hermitdave]

SURPRISE SURPRISE----A leader in Iraq who does not believe Christian George the crusader helped the people of Iraq. Bush sure is going to leave Obama a real can of worms. Looks like George and Condi did as heck of a job as Brownie did with Katrina, in their Mid East Policy.

[themooniac]

agreed!

[gramto8]

You got that right. But you know that they will dtill blame GB and the republicans. You know the lingering effect...etc...etc...........

Posted by wvu7462 at 02:28 AM : Jan 08, 2009

Why not? You repubs are still blaming Bill Clinton and even Jimmy Carter, for goodness sake!! I mean, how long does it have to be before you start taking the blame for YOUR party''s leaders'' nonsense?

[ballpen1]

The people of Iraq have an inherent right to defend themselves.

Posted by rusure5 at 02:00 AM : Jan 08, 2009

Ummm... Tricky one... Out of principle i am with you (because our war against Iraq was unjust), but who are "the people of Iraq"? One could argue they have an elected government and therefor that government is them. And that government just signed a SOFA with us, so they don''t mind us being there, so "the people" should not have to defend themselfs against us, right?

What Al-Sadr wants is a criminal mob-rule with religous undertones. He wants to overthrow the elected government for his own purposes and uses the U.S. troop presence to win the hearts and minds of the common people (nobody likes to be occupied, i can understand that).

The problem is that Iraq is too young a democracy and deeply mired in religion. Al-Malik can''t just order Al-Sadr arrested for "causing trouble", this would lead to civil war. He has to diminish his influence without openly opposing him, and that i quite a fine line to walk...

[ballpen1]

It took a good 3 years after Bush''''s 1st term for the average uninformed obese Joe Smith to see what an idiot Bush really was.

Posted by dan_8951 at 02:38 AM : Jan 08, 2009

And THEN they (we!) reelected him! What a barrel of laughs we are - at least to the rest of the world...

[conlaw95]

Why not? You repubs are still blaming Bill Clinton and even Jimmy Carter, for goodness sake!! I mean, how long does it have to be before you start taking the blame for YOUR party''''s leaders'''' nonsense?



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Posted by gramto8 at 02:37 AM : Jan 08, 2009

Well, gramto, listen up! First off Carter gave away the Panama Canal Zone. Panama was seen as a major concession of U.S. influence in Latin America, and Carter came under heavy criticism for it. The final year of his presidential tenure was marked by several major crises, including the 1979 takeover of the American embassy in Iran and holding of hostages by Iranian students.

[conlaw95]

Furthemore gramto8, despite calling for a reform of the tax system in his presidential campaign, once in office Carter did very little to change it. The federal government was in deficit every year of the Carter presidency. Carter signed legislation greatly increasing the payroll tax for Social Security, despite the fact that Congress choses to raid the Social Security fund everytime it needs money. Lasty, 90% of our current problems are because of President Bill Clinton''s administration. Interestingly, with the exception of President Lincoln, G. W. Bush is the only president, whose whole adminstration has been defind by war. War is an instrument of political policy. Had 9/11 not had happened it is quite rightly that we would not be in the current situation. However, I still believe that the housing market would most likely still would have collapsed.

[rusure5]

Re: "And that government just signed a SOFA with us, so they don''t mind us being there..."

I don''t think that the actions of the US-installed government could be confused with the opinions of the people of Iraq, the majority of which do not want us there, and never did.

[r9119111]

How Exciting! People killing people. Go to it!

I really wish that part of my tax money wasn''t going to support war mongering fools. Leave me out of it.

I will not support any person, organization,religion or government that chooses to respond to disagreement with hate, anger and violence. Period.

[ramos937]

The Bush administration held off Wednesday from backing an Egyptian-French cease-fire proposal in Gaza, saying it was exploring other options to secure a lasting agreement that would end the violence.
------------------------------------------

We have no credibility left in the ME. Except for supporting Egypt''s efforts, we should stay out of this conflict.

[drinuk]

America should stop propping up Israel. Why we, a country of 300 million should continually give our money so that that may Harm Women and Children is quite beyond and rational thinking.

Cut the Zionist adrift, they cost this Nation dear in lives, money and good will. They are evil warmongers.

[ahrats]

Bin Laden threats were not credibile either till 911. Iran is supporting Al-Sadr a future terriorist who wants to atack the U.S.. This time lets get him first before he can strike.

[hunterdon6]

the only way to solve this situation is to move all the Muslims to one part of the world and let them live in peace. they will self destruct, because the only thing they know how to do is kill each other. let them eat oil!

[georgew1956]

CLERIC SADR IS NO CLERIC HE''S A PUCK

COME SHOW YOURSELF PUCK

WE COULD TAKE YOU OUT TODAY SO DON''T PUSH TO HARD.

[misha128-2009]

Excuse me, but al-Sadr is in Iraq, did you forget or something?

Posted by TexHillGirl at 12:57 AM : Jan 08, 2009

Are you so naive as to believe events in some portions of the Middle East (or world for that matter) do not have effects on other portions of the Middle East (or world)? That would explain a great deal.

[promaclaura]

Are you so naive as to believe events in some portions of the Middle East (or world for that matter) do not have effects on other portions of the Middle East (or world)? That would explain a great deal.


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Posted by misha128 at 08:20 AM : Jan 08, 2009

Is it really only violence in Palestine that motivates the Middle East to speak out. What about when Israel is NOT retaliating against Hamas, where is all the good will then? If they truly cared they would be making all these humanitarian shipments throughout the year. Maybe the Palestinians would not fall for the likes of Hamas and their supposed aid from Iran if the rest of the Muslim world picked up the tab and condemned Hamas as well. Israel is not going to provide relief to a terrorist group overseeing the Palestinians, and the U.S. calls Hamas a terrorist group and will not support them either. It makes more sense to provide aid to the Palestinians throughout the year, but they don''t, which is typical of muslims in the Middle East. Look at their lackluster help to tidal wave victims in Indonesia or earthquake survivors in Pakistan, it was the U.S. that charged in for the rescue.

[exusmcsgt]

"Palestinian and U.N. figures show that about 300 of the more than 670 Palestinians killed so far have been civilians."

Israel screams bloody murder over a half dozen Israeli civilian casualties while killing Palestinian civilians by the hundreds...

[promaclaura]

"Palestinian and U.N. figures show that about 300 of the more than 670 Palestinians killed so far have been civilians."

Israel screams bloody murder over a half dozen Israeli civilian casualties while killing Palestinian civilians by the hundreds...


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Posted by exusmcsgt at 08:53 AM : Jan 08, 2009

Israel gets in their tanks and planes and heads into the Gaza strip away from their people. Hamas continuously fires their rockets from schoolyards and hospitals amongst the innocent. Hamas is also sending the innocent to rooftops as human shields. How can you defend Hamas when they are hiding behind women and children? It is no coincidence that Palestinians are dying, Hamas considers them fodder for their extremist goals.

[notblue]

exusmcsgt, explain to all of us how you recognize a Palestinian soldier, what uniform do they wear? Explain how to midigate civilian deaths when these barbarians you obviously support kill from schools, hospitals, mosques, purposely using civilians as human shields? If you are unable to justify these evil tactics then explian how is your post has any validity?

[promaclaura]

exusmcsgt - If you were still in the service and had to fight, what would you think of Hamas tactics of hiding behind women and children?

[misha128-2009]

Is it really only violence in Palestine that motivates the Middle East to speak out. ...

Posted by promaclaura at 08:35 AM : Jan 08, 2009

While you will find me a person that will speak out against one sided assertions, I also believe that in many cases violence will be responded to with violence. Wise people around the world seek to resolve differences in a non-violent fashion. After decades of each side tearing the other side down in Northern Ireland the parties are beginning to understand they are both better off when they are not fighting each other. I believe possibly they finally learned to value or desire the security and prosperity of their own communities enough to realize that was of considerable value to the other side too. Once that is understood by both sides -- preservation of the peace and prosperity becomes more valuable than "continuing the fight". There are rare opportunities when people are ready to accept such a solution. Hopefully as time passes more and more people can look to future potential as more valuable than avenging past wrongs so they can work constructively for a better environment for all.

[secundus2]

Al Sadr hides in safety in Iran and tells Iraqis to confront US troops. Meshaal hides in safety in Damascus and tells Gazans to die as martyrs. Nasrallah hides in Lebanon and urges Palestinians to die.

These "leaders" treat their own people as an uneducated rabble. These "leader" are eager to make war to the last drop of somebody else''s blood.

[promaclaura]

exusmcsgt - If you were still in the service and had to fight, what would you think of Hamas tactics of hiding behind women and children?
Posted by promaclaura at 09:09 AM

Is Hamas in Iraq now?


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Posted by earache4 at 09:20 AM : Jan 08, 2009

Are you exusmcsgt? Well since you have commented, as a former military man, what do you think of these tactics used in Iraq and Palestine, where they hide behind women and children?

[promaclaura]

If the U.S. was attacked, would the military set up camp at schools and hospitals?

[oldtimer1942-2009]

All you pablum feed, cool aid drinking, gutless uninformed moronic liberals please get a life. Are you not getting sick of your own rediculous babble? These blogs prove that being a "DEMOBRAT" is in fact a mental illness. If Obama gets his health care package most of the money will be spent on trying to cure you retards. Look at your Dem congress, those fools have started eating each other alive and Ojerko has yet to be sworn in. GOD help us. Is this an example of the HOPE AND CHANGE you fools fell for? No matter, in two years after the Dunbocrats distroy each other my REPUBLICAN CONSERVATIVES will be right back in power. you can bet on it!!

[misha128-2009]

Posted by promaclaura at 09:29 AM : Jan 08, 2009

As any battle wages what one will do or not do pragmatically changes with the conditions. I''m not sure your question has a definitive answer.

May I propose an alternate question. Is winning a war really possible or is it an Oxymoron (like Army Intelligence)? I would consider it an oxymoron as the end or a war is actually only the conclusion of the violence resulting from a failure to maintain the peace? PS My definition of securing the peace includes having the necessary military capabilities to convince others that violence is not a solution - this is not a fantasy premise. Generally wars disrupt economies, destroy infrastructure and resources and seldom are the byproducts or immediate aftermath of a war an improvement on the pre-war conditions and have few long term benefits for society as a whole nor do they create infrastructure to any degree related to the cost of the war itself.

[robrob791]

WHY OH WHY DIDN''T WE MAKE A SAND PILE OF THE MOSQUE WHERE AL-SADR WAS HOLED UP IN IRAQ, HE WOULD BE DEAD AND NOT ABLE TO HIDE AGAIN AND TELL OTHER PEOPLE TO KILL.

[misha128-2009]

Less try a less abstract approach -- which contributed more to preventing or delaying a Third World War? V-E and V-J day that ended the war. Or the Marshall plan that allowed the losers to gain a degree of prosperity they valued more than another war (such as WWII following WWI.)? Does that offer some possibilities for securing at least longer period of peace between conflicts?

[promaclaura]

misha128 - We may not agree on some things, but I appreciate your thoughtful responses. FYI, I DO have empathy for innocent Palestinians, while I abhor Hamas (it is sooo sad they voted in this militant faction). Also, I pay attention to the pictures of injured Palestinian children as well as an Israeli mother cowering over her two boys while they are under rocket attack.

[misha128-2009]

Al-Sadr is in Iraq, duh! NOT the US!

Posted by TexHillGirl at 10:03 AM : Jan 08, 2009

Al Sadr has called for violence against US troops as a result of the Gaza operations. You may be as uncaring about the troops as those that mailed out John Doe letters to the survivors of the fallen. But placing the troops at greater risk represents a greater risk to the nation -- maybe not the 50 states or our territorial integrity but clearly to the nation the troops and those that really support the troops.

[promaclaura]

"Al-Sadr: Attack U.S. Troops In Iraq
Once-Powerful Shiite Cleric Calls For Retaliation Over U.S. Role In Gaza Confilct"





I''''ve been telling you all, and telling you, and telling you -- supporting Israel directly HURTS OUR COUNTRY -- and THIS is conclusive proof!!!!

Posted by hungry681 at 12:39 AM : Jan 08, 2009


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Posted by hungry681 at 10:00 AM : Jan 08, 2009

We would be sending aide to the Palestinians if they hadn''t elected in a known terror organization, Hamas.

[promaclaura]

For what - a change to the DISASTROUS policies that brought us to our knees, in the current disaster of an administration?!?!?!

PLEASE!!!!

Th
e LAST thing this country needs is "republicans" running it!!


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Posted by hungry681 at 10:02 AM : Jan 08, 2009

I know you stand by this statement, so you must believe that the same could be said by the Palestinians.

Palestinians could say:

DISASTROUS policies that brought us to our knees, in the current disaster of an administration?!?!?!

PLEASE!!!!


The LAST thing this country needs is "Hamas" running it!!

[promaclaura]

Why should we be "aiding" EITHER side?!?!

When does concern for America factor into the picture?!?!


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Posted by hungry681 at 10:16 AM : Jan 08, 2009

We help a lot of countries. Africa has seen the largest aid package ever under President Bush, fighting Aids and Malaria. What happens in the rest of the world DOES affect us. Technology has brought the enemy to our shores, like it or not.