When military action heats up in Iraq, I turn to the Iraqi bloggers and Zeyad of Healing Iraq is certainly among the best. From Zeyad’s perspective, the current US military action against Sadr was planned. He adds this interesting tid-bit:
One also can’t help but wonder about the timing of [Ayatollah] Sistani’s departure from Najaf to London for treatment. The man is known for his subtle messages, could this be a sign for his tacit approval to finish Sadr and his militia once and for all? The remaining Hawza clerics are highly unlikely to issue a collective statement in the absense of Sistani, even more so when they have been threatened and attacked by Sadr’s supporters on many occasions. An aide of Sadr mentioned today on Al-Jazeera that Sistani was forced to leave Najaf and that the medical report of his ischemic heart condition was forged.
UPDATE: This BBC report offers curious support to Zeyad’s theory: “The ayatollah suffered a health crisis related to his heart a few days ago,” his spokesman in Beirut, Sheikh Hamed Khafaf, told the Associated Press news agency.
“A team of specialist doctors are treating him and providing care,” he said of the ayatollah, who is the prime marja, or spiritual reference, for Shias.
He added that although the ayatollah needed special treatment, he was not in a serious condition.
UPDATE: Read this disturbing comparison between the MSM and Iraq Blogs re: recent events in that country.
It’s a good thing for Sistani that he’s not a British citizen. Otherwise, considering their health care system, he’d have to wait a year to get treated.
I am in no position to question the interpretation of an Iraqi observer on the ground. My first thought, however, was that Sistani was being whisked to safety, lest al-Sadr’s people try to off him as a last ditch way of eliminating alternative Shia leaders. Okay, so I’m not the most “popular” of popular leaders, but who’ve you got besides me? We’ll leave that in place as back up theory, shall we?
It could be that Sistani wants the US to elimate Al Sadr, especially after the chuch bombings, and so wants to be out of the country for awhile. I don’t know that Sadr was responsible for attacking the Christians but the timing [once again] is interesting. It is like shooting ducks however, three dead to three hundred. pitiful and stupid.
In the comments section of that thread somebody linked to a soldier’s blog. His Thursday day post, entitled Men in Black, is about and Al Queda ambush of his unit in Mosul. Very interesting reading.
Link
Everyone: Read the story Ambi linked to above. It’s chilling, serious combat that you won’t read about in the New York Times. Anyone who doesn’t think Iraq is a front in the WoT needs to see this story.
Hey guys, for the absolute best blog on the Nijaf battle from a machine gunner who fought there you must link HERE and once you do I guarantee that you will make it a daily stop. I linked it yesterday as did Kim duToit in case you have already been there. PS somebody else has also recommended it; take this as a sedond endorsement. JUST THE BEST
Howard, your link she no good.