James Hider, of The Times, in Baghdad
2 for 1 tickets to Singin' In The Rain, this coming Monday. Book now
Analysis: Zubair 1 is crucial pipeline
Iraq’s Prime Minister was staring into the abyss today after his operation to crush militia strongholds in Basra stalled, members of his own security forces defected and district after district of his own capital fell to Shia militia gunmen.
With the threat of a civil war looming in the south, Nouri al-Maliki’s police chief in Basra narrowly escaped assassination in the crucial port city, while in Baghdad, the spokesman for the Iraqi side of the US military surge was kidnapped by gunmen and his house burnt to the ground.
Saboteurs also blew up one of Iraq's two main oil pipelines from Basra, cutting at least a third of the exports from the city which provides 80 per cent of government revenue, a clear sign that the militias — who siphon significant sums off the oil smuggling trade — would not stop at mere insurrection.
In Baghdad, thick black smoke hung over the city centre tonight and gunfire echoed across the city.
The most secure area of the capital, Karrada, was placed under curfew amid fears the Mahdi Army of Hojetoleslam Moqtada al-Sadr could launch an assault on the residence of Abdelaziz al-Hakim, the head of a powerful rival Shia governing party.
While the Mahdi Army has not officially renounced its six-month ceasefire, which has been a key component in the recent security gains, on the ground its fighters were chasing police and soldiers from their positions across Baghdad.
Rockets from Sadr City slammed into the governmental Green Zone compound in the city centre, killing one person and wounding several more.
Mr al-Maliki has gambled everything on the success of Operation Saulat al-Fursan, or Charge of the Knights, to sweep illegal militias out of Basra.
It has targeted neighbourhoods where the Mahdi Army dominates, prompting intense fighting with mortars, rocket-grenades and machineguns in the narrow, fetid alleyways of Basra.
In Baghdad, the Mahdi Army took over neighbourhood after neighbourhood, some amid heavy fighting, others without firing a shot.
In New Baghdad, militiamen simply ordered the police to leave their checkpoints: the officers complied en masse and the guerrillas stepped out of the shadows to take over their checkpoints.
Enjoy screenings of all the classic films you love.
Have you ever dreamed of owning your own racehorse or a beautiful painting?
Enjoy comfort, safety, space and great design. Plus enter our great competition
Allow Times Online TV show, Perfect Pets help you make the the right pet decisions
Are you California dreaming? Explore the wonders of the Golden State. Also enter our fantastic competition
Do you have what it takes to be a Times photographer?
Your brain is capable of more than you might think...
Find out to make the most of your money with our wealth management guides
Need help with your property? We have an entire how to guide - buying, selling, letting, moving, to help you
We are seeking entries for the inaugural Sunday Times Best Green Companies Awards
Enjoy some wonderful inspiring wildlife moments
An interactive preview of the brand new For Your Eyes Only exhibition
Love Sudoku? Play our brand new interactive game: with added functionality and daily prizes
Are you irritable when you return from work? Drained of emotion? You could be suffering from boreout
Now I know why politicians are depressed. Reading the ignorant crap spouted by most of the commenters here I realise democracy is inevitably doomed.
Barry Davies, London, UK
Iraq is America's problem and they should be left to sort it out. I want British troops withdrawn as soon as possible given that it's now become clear that any further sacrifice of British lives would be for nothing. The situation is impossible and it's time to cut our loses and concede that nothing more can be done.
A Johnston, Scotland,
The bottom line is this all things being equal a man with a gun and a cause and will fight to die for is better than a man with a gun who is paid and will fight only to survive. Without massive US aide to finance the govenment and superior military firepower the Iraq the govenment is on the lossing side.
Mike Quigley, Garden Grove, CAlifornia
I believe England should withdraw its troops before they are besieged and have to fight their way out,the entire situation is beginning to resemble the end of the S Viet military in 1975, what a fine detailed coverage here compared to the u s media with its endless election nonsense,while the president babbles on about the war going well.
chisolm, N Dallas, tx,,u s
President Al Maliki is far from "courageous" & showing "bold leadership." Rather, he is just trying to impress George Bush, upon whom he relies for his position of "leadership."
The USA & UK have created a complete mess in Iraq. There would appear to be no way out which would be acceptable to them. Backing a "democratically elected" government is a waste of time; as the current situation shows. Sooner or later a new strongman will emerge in Iraq; & he won't be to the USA's liking.
The two countries have stuck their noses in where they were not wanted & where they had no legitimate business, creating a chaos which they cannot control. They would have done better to have continued to back their erstwhile ally, Saddam Hussein who, alone, proved that he could provide stability in Iraq & keep the warring factions under control.
Oh well, let's look forward to Iran!
keith Cockayne, Grouville, Jersey
President Al Maliki is far from "courageous" or showing !leadership," as George Bush claims. All he is trying to do is protect his own position by currying favour with the USA.
Bush has created an enduring human tragedy in Iraq of monstrous proportions. It will not, now, go away.
The USA & UK would have done far better continuing to support their erstwhile ally, Saddam Hussein; who at least was able to keep the country under control.
The hypocracy & deceipt of our leaders shames us all & condemns us to the hatred of all people who do not aspire to American "freedom" (doing what the USA wants) & "freedom" (to do what the USA wants them to do.)
Let's all look forward to the next American "triumph." Iran.
keith Cockayne, Grouville, Jersey
Why can't we just bomb the Sadr City to the ground, as we did Dresden? It would kill the bad guys, and teach the rest a lesson. Is that a war or a gentleman sparring? Let's get real here!
Arthur, Sydney, Australia
Hey Lance,
Iraqis can be "innocent" without being your step-in-fetchit puppets. They are human beings, not dogs to be thrown a bone or do neat party tricks.
You can invade their country and kill anyone who appears to object. But even as they take your candy, they know your occupation is illegitimate and criminal.
Someday, you will have to leave and they will be free. Something the people of Egypt, Jordan, Saudi, Kuwait, Pakistan can never say, as long as they are ruled by dictators on the US payroll.
BTW, just because you are in the military and drive around in your tanks or hand out candy to kids (whom your invasion has impoverished), all with my tax money, makes you any kind of expert. Take off your armor and go live with the Iraqis for a few months, then come back and tell us "how they live and what they think."
As your employer I order your ^%&* ass home right now, or stay on your own ticket, funded with private donations of fellow republican warmongers.
Steve, Atlanta, GA
Lance, ...you didnt do very well in History, did you? In the Revolutionary War, we were the insurgents, the Rebels, fighting off foreign invaders/ocupiers. So, if I were an invader/occupier like yourself, I would avoid that analogy.
Vic, Salem, Oregon US
the only reason Maliki is standing up to moqtada is that he's worried he will lose in the forthcoming elections. Moqtada so-Sade has so many supporters in Iraq now its frightning. His army is stronger than ever
yaser masoud, Bahrain , bahrain
first we were allied with the shia against the sunni "dead enders". then we were protecting the sunni from shia genocide. now we are allied with the sunni against the shia "iranian sympathizers". it would be funny if a million people had not died.
sebz, virginia, usa
Quite frankly, I, as a member of the United States Army, believe I speak on behalf of the majority of those who serve when I say I'm sick of hearing what everyone has to say about the war. The American public is SO biast as to what they hear on the tv- You guys really have no idea what goes on. I can't blame you for thinking that all that goes on is combat and Soldiers dying, because that's all you see. And its the media's fault. They refuse to show the good. I've served 1 tour over there and will be back again in a few months. No one will ever know the feeling of having innocent, appreciative Iraqis come up to you just to shake your hand or give you a thumbs up because it's the first time they've had freedom. So next time you think about saying something negetive, stop and think about what it took for the U.S. to recieve its freedom. And Thank God that people didn't give up back then. And instead of criticizing the Soldiers, try thanking them for once after all, we do it for you.
Lance, Indianapolis, USA
When the US and UK come out of Iraq,Iran will get in
damon, Bristol, uk
Looks like Saddam will have his revenge from beyond the grave. :)
John, Oceanside, CA
Graham and Nigel's conversation is the only constructive one. I must say that Turkey would not allow a Kurdish state which I believe was the show stopper on that solution from the beginning.
As for the rest, its the long march of the stupids which keeps this going. Had Henry Ford not mass produced cars, and had we stuck with glass and paper packaging on consumer products -- leaving petroleum based plastics for more important things like medical equipment -- we wouldn't have foolishly built our infrastructure and consumer habits around thier use and we wouldn't need Iraqi oil. But, then again somebody invests something, somebody else pushes it on the world to make money, the world soon becomes dependant on it. We emerge from the dark ages only to eventually descend back into them because most people are too selfish, stupid and most of all weak-willed to simply walk away from material life as it is today.
Doug, Minneapolis, USA
Hakim's supporters and Moqtada's supporters hate each other even though both are Shiite. The Iraqi police and Military are much more loyal to their religious leaders than they are to the country. There is also the Shiite group that only takes direction from Sistani himself. So now we have 3 major Shiite groups and a few Sunni groups and the Kurds - then throw in the Turks from one side, the US and UK troops and Iranians. Throw in a very expensive desirable commodity like Oil and you have a very complex situation on your hands. The Generals know all this but to safeguard their ranks, reputations and job they put a positive spin to everything that goes in in Iraq.
Coming from a fractured country myself (Lebanon) and being one that attends an Iraqi Mosque I have seen and heard the level of hatred that exists between all these groups, I can say only one thing - a bloody civil war will happen in Iraq sooner or later and will go on for long because there is no one dominant force.
Garba, Katsina,
Dearest WEBO
we have not had refineries built in the US due to over capacity of refining in the US. Indeed get your mind around the fact that a new Refinery is being built in Washington State. No one is protesting it AT ALL. Mostly new drilling is allowed in the US except in designated "critical wild life habitat" Please check to see the # of new wells in the US in the past 20 years, it is not a small number. The small amount of oil found, which is "bunker Oil" only suitable for Asphalt in the Artic Wild Life refuge is meaningless. Further it does not explain why gas has gone up 350% in Washington state since Bush came to office.
Madgordy, seatte,
Long ago, in the 18th century, George Washington demonstrated the impossibility of occupying a country with a regular army. Apparently, none of our military have bothered to impress that lesson on our politicians with sufficient verve, or if they have tried, they have bben sacked. Admiral Fallon is only the latest in a long line of straight talking military who have been sacked by Bush and his gang of bandits.
John B. Brown, Buffalo, Wyoming, USA
Damon,
Uh, where's the contradiction? It's perfectly consistent to be opposed to a "war for oil" while also lamenting the fact that the war was so incompetently waged that even its supposed goal of getting cheap oil was not achieved.
Only a modern-day 'conservative' would use such spurious logic...
Sean, Washington, DC
Funny,? I just read that Fat Boy Sadr is calling for a cease fire..His fat butt was kicked all over the place yesterday, and the iraqi Army has killed over 125 of his Millitia, typical british leftist report.
cant be believed.
steve reshakis, Tracy Calif, USA
So now we know why you guys (the coalition of the billing) went to war. Not to get Saddam, not democracy, but plenty of oil to fuel your SUVs. You've got your deal now at @$4/gall. fill up before we place our orders for '09 and you start paying $5/gall. And John McCain bomb away Iran. That way we get hold of two oil resources and $6/gall. Bomb away and stick it to the Chinese!!
Pom Arni, New Delhi, India
Excellent military tactics by Sadr tho - distract from Basra by uprising in Baghdad. Tactically brilliant. Made monkeys of the coalition there too. Also demonstrates that this US "surge" is sheer imagination - a partisan army like this is impossible to defeat.
The only route for peace in Iraq is by letting the Iranians run it.
Good news is the Brits have kept out of it for now. Keep it that way. Not our war any more. They need to sort it out themselevs.
Roarke, wembley, uk
"Publically hung," huh? So much for the liberation narrative.
And if you really think that: Why not leave Saddam in power in the first place? Would have saved us a lot of money and blood, don't you think?
chuck, Martin, Tennessee
Bring back Saddam Husein ...?
Avraham, Rehovot, Israel
The only way to deal with this lot is the same way as Saddam did. Fear. Any Police found to be helping the Mahdi Army should be publicly hung.
Angry, london, UK
the situation is complicated, not just stop the war in Iraqi.
you got many things to deal with.
Andywong, Guangzhou, China
Dazza, Sydney.
It was a Labour government that took us into this war!
Jamie, truro,
My partner, a Shoah survivor and WW2 British commando, yesterday summed up Maliki's stance as "Obey me or I shoot myself".
In both Iraq and Afghanistan, from the point of view of the inhabitants it's completely arbitrary which section of the population the US military frame/set up as the new - or new-old - baddie: It's not about them or their best interests at all, it's yet another scam to save Dubya's bacon, now that he's messed up big-time yet again. Other people are paying with their lives and property for this lack of insight and remorse.
We all deserve better.
Julia Iskandar, London, England
America beggan the war, killed Saddam, if Saddam's miltary is strong enough, he will have good reason to start a war to eliminate Bush. Killing is a simple thing, the problem is you should take responsibility of the results for the people.
Andywong, Guangzhou,
Surge!
D.Dawes, NY,
We need more republican children fighting fot that oil and cheaep gas that is our right!
D.Dawes, NY,
The Iraqi's control Iraq, not the occupier.
Zardoz, Bolton (notloB), UK
Re Nigel Foster's remark:
A three state Iraq, Sunni, Shia and Kurds has indeed been envisaged, but there are a number of problems mostly related to oil distribution.
Well things were going to well until this point....
Graham in Iraq, Baghdad, Iraq
@Bryan Y:
The US gets the majority of its oil from Canada. We only import around %5 of our oil from Iraq itself. Apparently you have no concept of trade, otherwise you'd never post what you just wrote.
Using slurs like "enviro-wackos" is a first sign of just how truly unhinged people are. I can't imagine what's "wacko" about wanting clean drinking water, or clear air. Seems pretty basic to me!
Jean Hussein Chrimson, Birmingham, Michigan/USA
brian. The republican party has had complete control of the U.S. government for the last 8 years. all of these problems (and many more) were created by them. period
william, franklin, tennessee
One word comes to mind-Tet. Initial reports claimed a disaster for the US. It turns out it was a disaster for the VC. Where is the on the scene reporting?Where is the casualty count? Where is the pictures of all the IA dead soldiers?
Now go to the MNF website and get some idea of casualties. You will see some interesting data.
Moose H, Norwalk,
As the shia and sunni hate each other at least as much as they hate anybody else, surely a 2-state solution must be considered? Add to that a kurdish state in the north, and you have the makings of stability.
None of these states would be large enough to threaten others - just what's needed.
Borders can be made secure using technology, whereas armed gangs could hardly wish for a better battleground than the urban jungles of basra or sadr city where the technical supremacy of the west is largely negated.
nigel foster, ryde, uk
Someone said "things were going well in Iraq". Hmm. Let's see, before the war, conservatives said
- it was about WMDs (there weren't any)
- it wouldn't affect oil proces long term (they've doubled, in Aus at least)
- Saddam is a bad man who kills his own citizens (100,000 or so civilian deaths later, we're looking worse)
- it would be over quickly (5 years on)
- we won't lose any/many soldiers (4000 US deaths, many others from Britain etc)
- it's not another Vietnam (well, see above points and so far we're halfway there, just a little less jungley)
- it's worth the cost (had we used the potential $3 trillion cost elsewhere, the US could have done a lot to stop global warming and developed a public health care system for its citiziens)
- It'll reduce the threat of terrorism (actually, it's developed the world's biggest terrorist training academy)
Given how mindnumbingly wrong conservatives have been on Iraq, I believe its about time we stopped listenting to them.
Dazza, Sydney,
Michael in Boston, I agree with you about what the Bush administration and GOP have done to the country, but how many of the PNAC masterminds were southerners?
David, New Orleans,
The most arrogant, ignorant and weak minded person in America is the White, Southern Conservative Republican.
They have made America the laughing stock of the world.
All the while blaming their favorite boogeyman, The liberal.
Michael, Boston, MA, USA
I do so admire these heroic warriors under fire on the front line, folk like Mike, when they say "WE must and will remain in Iraq..." etc - from their dangerous positions under constant enemy fire in, er, Burlington, CT, USA, which is obviously just down the road from Baghdad. I'm humbled by your selfless and inspirational heroism and stamina there Mike, (world of) war (craft) is hell, eh?
Ruth , Salwa, Kuwait
The surge is SO working...!
chabuka, Olympia, WA.
I am very proud of the Iraqi govt right now. I was reading an article on a different site, and Sadr wants to negotiate. However al maliki's response was "no negotiation; no surrender"
Bryan , Houston, USA
Suck up those gas prices America. We're paying and we're going to pay.
We've stole oil from Iraq, we continually fund the Saudi's and Hugo can turn the tap off just a little to add to the squeeze too.
Keep buying those Hummers and demanding your cheap gas, while funding terrorists the world over.
Some of us aren't that bright, and that starts at the top, and those who follow...
E.Graham, ca,
The Liberal enviro-wacko's who run the Democrat party won't let us drill for oil anywhere or build nuke plants. This extremist position has and will cause ALL present and future Presidents to send our heroic military personel into the Middle East to keep the oil flowing as more American blood will be shed. Yes, the BLOOD of our soldiers IS ON LIBERAL HANDS because they care more about an elk than the children of America. Now, one of you lefties tell me I'm wrong by giving facts, not the usual 3rd grade name calling you rely on. By the way, elk herds thrive around the warm pipelines. They love it!
brian y, birmingham, usa/MI
This is precisely why all those who have selfishly asserted that the coalition forces should withdraw from Iraq forthwith are, and always have been, very wrong indeed.
James_E._Petts, Burnham, England
The Westerners are more interested of what is happening in Tibet than Iraq. Even the BBC spends more time on Tibet than Iraq.
donald, Brighton, uk
Mr. Herbert
Thanks for your input on Iraq. However, we Yanks are quite concerned with the English accomodations to Islamic society which is at direct odds with the freedoms you have had over the years. We hope you deport those who break your laws, not accomodate them. Hope you stop importing Muslims before they dominate both your welfare rolls and your culture!
lance, Thousad Oaks, usa
why doesn't the way some people think suprise me? They think interms of oil for blood. occupation dividing groups so you have cause to stay longer and take oil as usual everyone is get wary when they see the US intervene anywhere they just do it with a hidden agender. THERE IS ALWAYS A MOTIVE BEHIND ALL INTERVATION such a pity not many see that. The british just know that they didn't go in to occupy like the american did and will do for 100 more years.
grace, kampala, uganda
The rise in oil prices plus improved recovery techniques are causing an oil boom in West Texas.
While depressed liberals keep hoping for the demise of western civilization - sane people keep making it work.
Patrick Henry, Bristol,
webo,
Don't forget the republicans have been in charge of the Congress for the last 12 of those 20 years and had the White House for the last 8 of those 20 years. So I don't think you can lay this entire thing at the feet of the lefties. The right had ample time (12 years) to see the situation and address it but failed to do so.
G, Tulsa,
Mr.M from Cincinnati, if we could have removed A--Sadr and dissolved private armies do you not think it would have been done long ago. The US is equipped to fight and win global nuclear war but not guerilla wars. You will win every battle and lose the war.
We are fighting in Afghanistan and Irak, do you think it is clever to antagonise the neighbouring states, threatening Iran, insulting Russia and China? There is a vast border which would with, the co-operation f these countries, require at least 20 full divisions to control, without it I don't know. More than can be raised. so you antagonise them so that they will not allow you to succeed. Arms and equipment will be covertly supplied to the opposition who can carry on indefinitely whilst the US is going broke.
Not very clever.
George Herbert, Bournemouth, England
Talk about magical thinking. The people who think that adding to the oil supply with our own oil won't help the situation are off the mark. They are the same people who think that bio-based fuels are going to solve everything. It takes more energy to produce Ethanol than it provides. It also uses an unimaginable amount of water to produce and has caused the price of food to skyrocket. THe same magical thinkers are now crying about us running out of water and not having enough food to feed people.
And what does Christian Bible school have to do with the discussion? Here is a little tip, name calling and obfuscation does not help you prove your point.
webo, Longmont, CO USA
The US gallon is less than the British
George Herbert, Bournemouth, England
Puppet rule in third world countries is flawed as we are about to find out in Pakistan, Iraq war has gone on longer than the second world war. It may be true that Iran is supplying arms how are we going to stop them doing it, start another war. The only realistic option is to call a halt to military operations and establish a peace confernece to which regional powers as well as countries like India and China with economic interests in the region should be invited and also should be asked to provide a peace keeping force. Such a conference can only be organised under the auspices of the much derided United Nations.Otherwise a hundred years war McCain desires is a possibility
sinna mani, London , UK
Sadr has the ability to cause mass casualties, Iraqi and American. The deadliest days for America in Iraq happened in 2004, when the Mahdi militia last rose up. If this situation is not handled quickly, this may go down as Iraq's Tet.
Abe Froman, NY, NY, USA
So much for the vision of being greeted as liberators with roses and dancing in the streets.....Almost makes life under Saddam Hussein seem idyllic. What a mess!
Who will close Pandora's box now?
mike lee, Singapore,
When Moqtada al-Sadr was cornered by coalition forces some years ago, the great mistake was not to finish him off (and his Mahdi Army) there and then. I was amazed that this was not done, as it was ovbious at the time that this was a dangerous man with dangerous intentions. Sistani, said to be the leading cleric at the time, argued against a full-scale assult and, crazily, his view prevailed.
Well, it is no surprise that we are back where we started. Let us hope that this time, common sense prevails, and the war against Moqtada al-Sadr is pursued to the end. He must not be allowed to escape to Iran, but be captured and put on trial.
JohnF, Peterborough,
Thanks W - what better way to protect America than jump into someone else's civil war. Should have listened to Ron Paul 5 years ago.
Jack, Houston,
Thanks George! The gas price is high, so a lot fewer cars are draving. This makes riding my bicycle on the city streets much safer! And i'm saving that much more money by riding. Keep up the good work!
JAG, Rancho Cordova, USA
Once upon a time it was Bush against Saddam, then it was Shia against Sunni, now it is Shia against Shia. Well, what is the next episode of this wretched drama?
ebrahim khodadoost, ardebil , Iran
I love hearing from this NASCAR republicans who think drilling oil in the USA will solve any problems. Obvious they graduated from christian bible school as they are still subscribing to subscribing to magical thinking.
Jim, NYC,
and what does this have to do with the price of oil they are barley producing anyway what kind of impact has this really caused ??? SCARE TATICS
Philip, Jacksonville, FL
Maybe if someone removed that vile ass of a man, Al-Sadr things would brighten up. It should be illegal for a private citizen to have his own army. His dealings with Iran should also be grounds for arrest.
M, Cincinnati, USA
$4 a gallon?! A UK gallon is less than a US gallon, and we pay the equivilent of $10 a gallon!
Adam, Manchester, England
Yes, a group of people within Iraq bombing their own country's oil pipelines is clearly the fault of the West, Rick.
Maddie, Midwest, USA
Bombing the pipeline shows the terrorists do not want any kind of normalcy there. That is why we must and will remain in Iraq for years to come. Barry Obama nor Hillary will ever pull out because they know the need to take on these exteremists until they are gone.
http://mtaricani.blogspot.com/
Mike
Mike, burlington, CT/USA
Thank you Gordon Brown (aka Mr Bean). You're doing a hell of a job!
DJK, College Station, TX
The reason for $4.00 gas isn't because of the war, it is because the Democrats haven't allowed us to drill for oil in our own Country. They also haven't allowed a new refinery to be biult here in over 20 years. I addition, the lefties have forced oil companies to produce dozens of different formulations. These restrictions are the leading cause of the increased prices.
webo, Longmont, CO USA
Just because a government tells you a story doesn't mean it's true. Don't British and American media repeat what the politicians say without even thinking about it?
Ryan Glinski, Houston, Texas
Who reaps off their crimes?? We do. We've been bullying countries for a century to continue US/GB Hegemony and it's the reason you have plentiful oil, cheap food and luxurious living. Deal with it!
Kv, London,
We now witness a true civil war. Thank you Mrs Bush and Blair. What a sound vision you had in 2003!
Henry, London, UK
The British turned over responsibility to the Iraqis because that's what all the liberals have been crying for all this time.
So enjoy your high gas prices liberal cry babies! It's YOUR fault.
Charles, Atlanta, GA
The Brits left it for the Iraqi troops to defend. They can't do it for them forever.
Brian Ohara, TO, Canada
Attacking Western oil interests in Iraq is surely a legitimate tactic in the struggle to liberate that country from foreign occupation.
Kate, Southampton, UK
Moqtada Al Sadr is not a cleric. He did not complete his required religious qualifications and so has no religious status at all.
His father was murdered by Saddam in 1999 and Sadr City was named after the father not the son. It used to be called Saddam City.
Moqtada Al Sadr is an ignorant rabble rouser who uses poverty and violence to get power. He is just like Saddam before him.
It should please us all that Prime Minister Maliki has found his moment and his resolve. These events have the potential to be the final, true turning point for Iraqis. The invasion of Iraq was a war of liberation. It is a shame that so many people have abused the mistakes over WMD and indulged in meaningless rants about oil to cloud the issue.
Those who opposed invasion would have left Iraqis under the brutal tyranny of Saddam and the impoverishment of UN sanctions needed to contain his ambitions.
The invasion was the only serious option in 2003.
Tim, Leeds, England
This wasn't a "backlash attack by powerful Shia Muslim militias." and "retaliation for the Government's campaign to crack down on the Shia private armies". This is the Iraqi government supressing an Iranian proxy.
Motaqd Al Sadr and his "Mahdi Army" is funded and trained by Iran just like Hezbollah. The Mahdi Army is also the Shite version of Al Qaeda; it rules by murder, torture, and intimidation.
The Iranian backed Mahdi Army attacked government facilities and challenged the Iraqi government. Maliki has to deal with it if the Iraqi government is to survive.
Every time an oil pipeline blows up in Iraq, the Iraqis should blow up an Iranian pipeline.
Al Qaeda has almost been finished off. Motaqd Al Sadr knows he will be next. There is also a US election coming up and things were going well in Iraq. These attacks will help the Democrats; the "Bring the troops home now; Surrender Now" party. The Islamofascists know how to influence democratic elections; look at Spain.
Stephen Duval, Austin, TX
Gee, this war for oil just isn't working out too well is it my liberal friends? Seems like we could have just spent the $2 trillion on our gas tanks instead if it were about oil. Liberals complain when they think we're going to war to secure oil supplies, because it's 'imperialism'. Now they complain, like Rick from WI, about the price of oil because a story appears that indicate we didn't secure the oil.... wah? Huh? eh? Say again?
I'm a conservative, Rick, and I agree with your old liberal stance that we shouldn't still be on the ground in Iraq with soldiers. We should not be nation building. But we are, so deal with it. Bush, Cheney, and Rumsfeld have no more committed crimes against humanity than Clinton did in Bosnia. Or did you oppose Serbian rape of Bosnian Muslims while you do support Saddam's rape rooms? I know some would be dictator types are into that kind of thing. Thank God our country isn't.
Damon, Greenwood, IN
Thanks for the $4.00/ gal gas George W. Bush, Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld !
You need to go to prison for crimes against humanity.
Rick, Oak Creek, WI
It would be cheaper to have IHillary (Sorry-couldn't resist the temptation)---I mean raqi soldiers positioned every every 100 yards along
the pipeline with predator drones overhead than to keep repairing these pipelines.
David Brandon, Boston, Ma
12,000 police stationed around the oil installations?? Well that's where the problem lies: the Iraqi POLICE! They cannot be trusted. They are heavily infiltrated by the very Shia militias that the Iraqi Army is trying to destroy. Where are the British troops when all of this is happening? I thought it was their responsibility to watch over Basra.
Haile , Cleveland, USA/ OHIO