Iraqi Gov't: No There There

Top Iraqi goverment officials are fuming over the  (still very murky) U.S.-led raid on religious complex in Baghdad that left about 20 dead.  "The killings there are an unjustified and flagrant attack," said interior minister (and militia-man-in-chief) Bayan Jabr.

But here's the thing: The raid included--indeed the shooting appeared to be done by--Iraqi troops. So what's going on? According to a Pentagon press release, the Iraqi unit was the "1st Special Operations Forces Brigade." I haven't found other references to that group, but many of the special forces units are relabeled Kurdish militia. So here's a guess: The brigade is Kurdish, didn't have much objection to raiding a Shiite religious site (perhaps rightly) and didn't exactly coordinate with higher-ups, who are almost exclusively Shiite. Again, just a guess.

Obviously, the top officials know that they'll lose street cred if they don't loudly complain about the raid. But just because it's in their political interest to oppose the raid, doesn't mean they're lying. Again the more likely scenario: The officials knew nothing about the raid, really do oppose it, and...and...it's just another small sign that the Iraqi government in many senses simply doesn't exist.

Also: I owe readers a defense/explanation of my stand on Iraq--such as it is--and why despite all the pessimism, I'm still queasy about calling for a withdrawal. Still on its way... but the short version: I think from a moral and strategic perspective we have an obligation to Iraq. That doesn't give us the answer to what should be done (to withdraw, or not, how quickly, etc). But it does give us the question. It's not what's best for the U.S., or at least not primarily that. The question should still be what would be best for Iraqis. We owe Iraqis that much.

   

Comments

[WPB]

Eric,

You may want to check out my post on the 1st Iraqi Special Operations Forces Brigade here.
http://anewerworld.org/?p=339

I provide some links to information on the unit and some analysis of the situation.

I really appreciate your work for Today's Papers.

-WPB

[anonymous]

I think the raid was on a shi'ite militia and those Iraqi government officials who are howling have that militia as their power base. Isn't democracy wonderful?