Democracy Now: Reporting on Iraq March 31, 2008

From one of the few real reporters we have out there, here's a portion of Democracy Now from today.

Sadr Orders Mahdi Army to Stop Fighting
In Iraq, Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has ordered his Mahdi Army to stop fighting, six days after Iraqi forces attacked Sadr strongholds in Basra and Baghdad. In exchange, Sadr demanded the Iraqi government free imprisoned members of the Mahdi Army, end house raids and help bring back Shiites displaced from the recent fighting. Despite Sadr's call, mortar attacks continued in Baghdad and Basra. As many as 350 Iraqis died in the past week of Shiite-on-Shiite fighting. Prior to Sadr's surprise announcement, members of the Mahdi Army had threatened to keep fighting until the United States left Iraq.
Mahdi Army Member: "We will not put down our weapons until the occupiers leave Iraq and we receive orders from the honorable Muqtada al-Sadr that the occupiers have left Iraq completely. Then we will be ready to lay down our weapons. Until then, nothing happens. We receive orders from our commanders, and God willing, we will bring an end to the occupation. We are willing to sacrifice our lives and our families, everything. We will not back down until the last drop and the last moment. We will keep the city of Basra safe and secure."
Iraq Gov't Controls Only 1/4th of Basra
The Iraqi military's attempt to push the Mahdi Army out of Basra appears to have largely failed. According to CNN, Iraqi security forces control less than a quarter of the city. On Sunday, members of the Mahdi Army stormed the state television station in Basra. Images of Iraqi soldiers handing over their weapons were then broadcast.
Report: US Air Strike Kills Eight Civilians in Basra
As the Iraqi military struggled in Basra, the US military stepped up its direct involvement by carrying out multiple air raids. Iraqi police reported eight civilians were killed. Saturday when a US warplane strafed a home in the southern part of Basra.
Turkey Warplanes Attack Northern Iraq
Meanwhile, Turkish warplanes and artillery attacked northern Iraq. Turkish officials said fifteen Kurdish rebels died in the strikes on Thursday and Friday. Turkey has carried out several attacks in northern Iraq since mid-December with the direct support of the United States, which has been providing Turkey with real-time intelligence.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Democracy
• Now
• Amy
• Goodman
• Iraq
• Basra
• Turkey

[gobigorange99]

Cool, this is one of my favorite news programs!

[BrooklynDevious]

Finally this is a show worth watching.

Kudos!

[rayisakilla337]

that guy looks like a fat rambo

[TheCastrence]

use your oil...stupid

[ogerepus]

They did. That's why Al-Qaeda had to retreat, and why Jaysh al Mehdi has little power anymore.

[sengoku15]

RISE UP IRAQ CIVILIANS! FIGHT BACK!

[8G00SE8]

Iraqis failed to get Mahdi out of Basrah? They handed there arse to them, it was the police not army who supposedly left there posts, and thats not even been clarified.

Muqtadas men cant even keep control of Sadr city.

[Frozendog7]

The time for left wing or right wing is finished. Its time for that which is good , upright, honest and just to be supported and for wicked, corrupt greedy and evil men to be removed from power. I really think your nation needs a third political voice, no longer democrat or republican but a fresh 3rd national party. may God have mercy upon you and all of us if this option fails for none of your presidential candidates are worthy of a vote. All are corrupt elitist status quo lackeys.

[subrat37]

Its called common sense... stop blowing each other up = US leaving the country.

[driubi]

of course its anti-american - it doesn't cover paris hilton.

[otissimo9]

I am so tired of NPR being branded as some anti-american, ultra-liberal, biased news organization in my state (Utah). The local National Public Radio stations don't even have the guts to host Democracy Now!! I rely on my LOCAL public radio station to hear this news (90.9 fm), and sadly, it has fallen short of funding goals and is going commercial. This is a sad day for Utah and America in particular. shame.