U.S. tanks have rumbled to within 800 meters (yards) of a holy shrine in the Iraqi city of Najaf as fierce clashes with Shi'ite rebels in a nearby town killed at least 40 Iraqis, officials said.
...The uprising, in which hundreds have died, has helped drive world oil prices to record highs and is a brazen challenge to the authority of Prime Minister Iyad Allawi, who took over from U.S.-led occupiers only two months ago.
Allawi had threatened to storm the mosque, but any bloody takeover could infuriate Iraq's majority Shi'ite population and further destabilise the country ahead of scheduled elections in January. The mosque is the holiest Shi'ite shrine in Iraq.
Reuters article
...The uprising, in which hundreds have died, has helped drive world oil prices to record highs and is a brazen challenge to the authority of Prime Minister Iyad Allawi, who took over from U.S.-led occupiers only two months ago.
Allawi had threatened to storm the mosque, but any bloody takeover could infuriate Iraq's majority Shi'ite population and further destabilise the country ahead of scheduled elections in January. The mosque is the holiest Shi'ite shrine in Iraq.
It's all about who blinks first, isn't it? My Texan friend says he is sick of the world with "tough" guys getting in your face to intimidate you. Staring each other down.
Me, too. Grow up one day, will you? Soon.
Meanwhile, the kidnapping stories have gone from truck drivers to journalists. Last week I read about a British journalist who had been released, and an American journalist who had been captured. Today, there's this from the Reuters article...
In Paris, the French Foreign Ministry said two French journalists, George Malbrunot of Le Figaro and Christian Chesnot of Radio France International, were missing in Iraq and had not been heard from since Thursday.
The Italian government said freelance Italian journalist Enzo Baldoni, who had been working in Najaf had been missing since Thursday and his driver had reportedly been killed.
The Italian government said freelance Italian journalist Enzo Baldoni, who had been working in Najaf had been missing since Thursday and his driver had reportedly been killed.
Juan Cole is reporting that yet another pipeline has been blown up in Iraq, and of course, the fighting and killing continue throughout the country.
....but hey, do what you want....you will anyway.
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