ELVIS
10-20-2006, 10:55 PM
October 21, 2006 (http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200610/s1770304.htm)
http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2006/WORLD/meast/02/24/iraq.security/story.iraq.soldiers.afp.gi.jpg
The Iraqi Government has rushed troop reinforcements to the southern city of Amara, where Shiite militiamen have been fighting deadly street battles with police.
Medical sources say more than 30 people have been killed and many more have been injured.
The fighting began 24 hours ago with the arrest of a Mehdi Army militiaman.
The British army estimates 200 to 300 of his comrades began laying siege to the police, although local people say 800 were involved.
The Mehdi militiamen, who are loyal to the cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, drove the police off the streets and torched police vehicles at one station.
The Iraqi Government says it is now in control and the British Government believes that to be the case, but local people say they can still hear gunfire.
The Iraqi Government has sent in soldiers as reinforcements and Mr Sadr has also appealed for calm.
Reports say the city is now quieter and a curfew is in place.
Major Charles Burbridge is the British forces military spokesman in Basra, south of Amara, and he says violence has increased.
"Often local disputes are settled by the gun rather than through negotiation and this particular case, that's what appears to have upset the situation," he said.
"But we are considering it to be a spike in violence, and we're watching how the Iraqi security forces are dealing with it and thus far their coordination together has been reasonably good."
Bush blames changed tactics
United States President George W Bush has conceded that the security situation in Iraq is deteriorating.
He was speaking a day after the US military acknowledged that a two-month-long security operation in Baghdad has failed to reduce violence.
Mr Bush is blaming this on a change in tactics by insurgents, but says this does not lessen his commitment to what he calls "completing the mission" in Iraq.
"Our goal hasn't changed but the tactics - adjusting to an enemy which is brutal and violent," he said.
"My message to the United States of America is victory in Iraq is vital for the security of a generation of Americans who are coming up and so we will stay in Iraq, we will fight in Iraq and we will win in Iraq."
Mr Bush will tomorrow consult his top generals about the situation in Iraq, as he comes under increasing pressure to change course in the conflict.
:elvis:
http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2006/WORLD/meast/02/24/iraq.security/story.iraq.soldiers.afp.gi.jpg
The Iraqi Government has rushed troop reinforcements to the southern city of Amara, where Shiite militiamen have been fighting deadly street battles with police.
Medical sources say more than 30 people have been killed and many more have been injured.
The fighting began 24 hours ago with the arrest of a Mehdi Army militiaman.
The British army estimates 200 to 300 of his comrades began laying siege to the police, although local people say 800 were involved.
The Mehdi militiamen, who are loyal to the cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, drove the police off the streets and torched police vehicles at one station.
The Iraqi Government says it is now in control and the British Government believes that to be the case, but local people say they can still hear gunfire.
The Iraqi Government has sent in soldiers as reinforcements and Mr Sadr has also appealed for calm.
Reports say the city is now quieter and a curfew is in place.
Major Charles Burbridge is the British forces military spokesman in Basra, south of Amara, and he says violence has increased.
"Often local disputes are settled by the gun rather than through negotiation and this particular case, that's what appears to have upset the situation," he said.
"But we are considering it to be a spike in violence, and we're watching how the Iraqi security forces are dealing with it and thus far their coordination together has been reasonably good."
Bush blames changed tactics
United States President George W Bush has conceded that the security situation in Iraq is deteriorating.
He was speaking a day after the US military acknowledged that a two-month-long security operation in Baghdad has failed to reduce violence.
Mr Bush is blaming this on a change in tactics by insurgents, but says this does not lessen his commitment to what he calls "completing the mission" in Iraq.
"Our goal hasn't changed but the tactics - adjusting to an enemy which is brutal and violent," he said.
"My message to the United States of America is victory in Iraq is vital for the security of a generation of Americans who are coming up and so we will stay in Iraq, we will fight in Iraq and we will win in Iraq."
Mr Bush will tomorrow consult his top generals about the situation in Iraq, as he comes under increasing pressure to change course in the conflict.
:elvis: