"Green Zone" Target Of Continued Attacks - Emergency Session Of Iraq Congress Called

The Green Zone in Baghdad has come under such intense fire today that diplomats in the US embassy have been told to stay in reinforced structures or wear protective gear outside. At night they are warned to sleep in underground shelters.

This renewed attack is coming from factions of Shiite militias loyal to Muqtada al-Sadr. According to some reports some of the weapons came from Iran, but there is no confirmation as of now. It would not be a surprise since Iranians have encouraged the Shiite factions in the past.

The attacks are targeted at the Green Zone for a reason. That’s where the Iraqi Government is and that’s where the US operations are based. That shows the real enemies of the militias are not Sunnis but us! The Iraqi government is perceived rightly or wrongly as a puppet administration manipulated by the United States. I had previously characterized this as a civil war, but I may have to eat those words.

Our presence and the bolstering of the Iraqi government is exacerbating the conflict, and though it may have elements of a civil war, it also has elements of a populist movement trying to drive invaders out of the country. I am reminded of Vichy France and how that government ran for cover as soon as the invasion of D-Day began. I suspect if things go very bad, the present government will be looked upon as collaborators.

My sincere hope is that things will improve, but I feel that our government has no clue as to how to solve the problems caused by our invasion.

UPDATE: As I post this the Iraqi Government is calling a special emergency session to figure out how to end the problem. According to Reuters:

U.S.-backed Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki vowed on Thursday that security forces would battle Shi'ite militia in Basra "to the end" despite huge demonstrations to demand his resignation.