Something Stinky in Karbala and the Green Zone

The attack in Karbala where 5 American soldiers were shot in the head made me wonder if the Iraqi police were involved or at least complicit. Now I wonder if this goes straight to top. One of the vehicles had a license plate registered to Iraq's minister of trade, Abdul Falah al-Sudani, a Shiite who belongs to the Dawa party whose members include Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Al-Sudani lives in the Green Zone and denied that the plate had been stolen. (Macon.com)

The attack involved 9 to 12 English-speaking militants who posed as American security forces and traveled in vehicles that looked similar to U.S. government convoys. Ownership documents were found in two of the vehicles. No one seems to know where the military uniforms or IDs came from, but the SUV's traveled to Karbala along the road leading from Najaf, where anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr is headquartered.

Carrying American weapons, and wearing new U.S. military combat fatigues, the militants overtook the American forces and kidnapped the four soldiers. They then took them east of the compound and killed them. (source)

One guard, who is also is a suspect, said he'd handed his weapon to the attackers and allowed the men into the compound because they were dressed in American military uniforms, spoke English and were using interpreters.

Iraq the Model says (hat tip Degrees of Madness):

If I remember well, some time ago the head of the provincial council was arrested under charges of terrorism, so the local authority in Kerbala isn’t exactly trustworthy. The governor said there was a security breach but what I smell here is the stench of an inside job at the highest levels in Kerbala.

Like I said earlier, this was not just a brazen attack by some militia or terrorists; behind this is a message and a threat from Iran and its surrogates to turn even the calm parts of Iraq into a dangerous war zone for America and the government in Baghdad.

Now it all makes sense. Al-Sadr has been pretending to comply with American requests, asking his militia to put their guns out of site. It's all for show. Sadr is an agent of Iran.

Four of the soldiers have possible ties to Fort Richardson. U.S...

That release identified the dead as 1st Lt. Jacob N. Fritz, 25, of Verdon, Neb., Spc. Johnathan B. Chism, 22, of Gonzales, La., Pfc. Shawn P. Falter, 25, of Cortland, N.Y., and Pvt. Johnathon M. Millican, 20, of Trafford, Ala. All four were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 377th Parachute Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, based at Fort Richardson, Alaska.

Another news release identified a fifth man killed as Capt. Brian S. Freeman, 31, of Temecula, Calif. (source)

Capt. Freeman was a former member of the Army World Class Athlete Program who competed in bobsled and skeleton with the U.S. national team.

Bottom line, I don't trust Maliki or Sadr. Phew! Something stinks in Karbala!!!

Linked with:
Degrees of Madness

Comments

[Debbie]

Good point A.C.

[A.C.]

Interesting post Debbie. You have to wonder whether this was an organized message sent from either Mahdi or Badr elements (with logistical help from govt ministers) to the US--here's what we can do if you continue to pick up Iranians, etc.

I hope not.

[Debbie]

There have been more than one instance of missing uniforms, Iraqi police and military. I have not heard anything about missing American uniforms. These were uniforms that 'looked like' American. So we don't really know.

Just today there was an attack in Iraq by bad guys wearing Iraqi military uniforms.

You can't tell the good guys from the bad guys.

[StormWarning]

Rastaman...it is no surprise that al-Sadr is a "bad guy." He should have been eliminated when a large poster of Muqtada al-Sadr appeared on the very same street corner where the statue of Hussein had been toppled earlier. And that was back in April of 2004.

At that time, al-Sadr was apparently seen as a “fly” to be swatted away and a “small player” who didn't have a large following. Yet, only a few months later, as the insurgency continued, al-Sadr urged his followers to fight after he is dead Minimizing the power inherent in a charismatic religious leader, especially in a place like Iraq and among the Shi'a majority was always a mistake.

When the attempts to kill him failed in August 2004, I believe that he was energized and became even more dangerous.

He should've been eliminated long ago, and now, its too late.

As recently as December '06 a Pentagon report made it clear that al-Sadr (and his militia) was the "grevest thtreat" to stability in Iraq: http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/ny-usgate195021623dec19,0,3029707.story?coll=ny-nationalnews-print

If, as Debbie has noted, that Iraqi security forces were involved in the attack on American troops, it simply underscores the social instability that exists in Iraq. Whether or not the upcoming "surge" of troops (if it in fact happens - watch to see how many Republicans follow John Warner) will quell the violence is an entirely different thing.

Thanks.

[Always On Watch]

I recall reading, several months ago, about missing American uniforms. Were there missing vehicles as well?

[Rastaman]

Good post!

The only thing the senators and congressmen get in an uproar about are their paychecks and keeping their kids out of the military.

I'm not convinced Al Sadr is an agent of Iran but he's sure as hell an enemy of ours and has never made any bones about it. Our generals knew he should have been killed back when but our Prez played political patty-cake with Al Maliki who wanted to use Al Sadr for his own gain, at our expense. That Bush went along with this is one of the many things I detest about him.

Kill Al Sadr and Al Maliki both and the situation there might improve a lot.

Rastaman
www.islamanazi.com

[Night Rider]

Hi Debbie,

Do you remember that there was an incident like that awhile back where there were I think 6 or 7 insurgents who dressed up as U.S. soldiers and killed I think it was 3 U.S. Soldiers. I don't know for sure whether or not Iraqi police were involved or complicit, it could be don't get me wrong but I do think that we need to check every possibility.

I really do hope that they do find out soon who did that so that this whole mess can be straightened out. I mean you may have something there and if that be, oh geez I don't know what to say but I am sure that the United States Congressman and Senators will be in a big uproar over that one not to mention the families of those soldiers. That could turn the whole war upside down.

[mad_cow]

Great work, Debbie. (I did not know that one of the soldiers killed was from Alabama. Thanks for the information.)

I trust our military will get to the bottom of this, because you are right, something stinks in Karbala.

Julie