Iraqi Security Forces put down uprising

An article at Global Security, “Iraq: Radical Cleric Challenges Shi'ite Establishment” is interesting not only in it content, but also because of what stopped the clashes between Al-Hasani and Al-Sistani's forces in Karbala.

Clashes subsequently erupted on August 16 between al-Hasani and his supporters and shrine security forces, with the latter eventually seeking backup from Iraqi security forces. Ten militiamen loyal to al-Hasani were killed and 281 arrested, Prime Minister al-Maliki's office said in a statement.

According to a correspondent for RFE/RL's Radio Free Iraq in Karbala, militiamen connected with SCIRI's Badr Forces and al-Sadr's Imam Al-Mahdi Army did not take part in the clashes with al-Hasani loyalists on August 16, but both militias were present in the city, offering protection to administrative buildings.

This is interesting because Al-Sistani’s forces chose to call upon Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) to put down the clashes. Al-Sistani forces could not put down Al-Hasani forces by themselves, so they called on the ISFs to assist. They did not call upon US forces. ISFs were able to stop the clashes, kill ten militiamen, and arrest 281 others without the assistance of US forces.

In addition, SCIRI Badr forces and Al-Mahdi army did not dare to step in the middle of this clash even though they could have very well become involved.

For all those people out there that are stating that Iraq is a quagmire, in a violent civil war, the US is not accomplishing anything, and should cut and run, I want to point out that ISF were called upon and stopped the clashes without US assistance. This is phenomenal. It is showing that the training of ISF is paying off and ISF are able to keep and control order in their country. Five of ten divisions now control their own battlespace after being validated by US forces. These ISF kept the peace and maintained law and order.

Imagine Iraq this time next year after the government has been in power for over a year and more ISF divisions are validated. Will the US begin to become more passive observers in Iraq relegated to only teaching, coaching, and mentoring ISF? Not only are ISF leading the fight in several provinces, but they are also securing the peace by themselves in several other provinces.

Iraq is not a quagmire. Different Iraqi factions are vying for control of different areas as the new government is asserting control; however, Iraq is not in a civil war. The US is accomplishing a great deal in Iraq as this case shows. Now is precisely the wrong time to cut and run.