Basra out of control, says chief of police

[steve2470]

http://www.worldpress.org/link.cfm?http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,1495302,00.html

Families can still stroll but militia gangs hold power in port city

Rory Carroll in Basra
Tuesday May 31, 2005
The Guardian

The chief of police in Basra admitted yesterday that he had effectively lost control of three-quarters of his officers and that sectarian militias had infiltrated the force and were using their posts to assassinate opponents.

Speaking to the Guardian, General Hassan al-Sade said half of his 13,750-strong force was secretly working for political parties in Iraq's second city and that some officers were involved in ambushes.

Other officers were politically neutral but had no interest in policing and did not follow his orders, he told the Guardian.

"I trust 25% of my force, no more."

The claim jarred with Basra's reputation as an oasis of stability and security and underlined the burgeoning influence of Shia militias in southern Iraq.




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[Gloria]

1. Recent reports are that the Iranians have essentially

taken control of many of the towns in the South, quietly.

[bullimiami]

2. recent reports from who? I dont believe anything I see in print without

a serious dose of sceptical review and questioning.

I do believe that a lot of shia may have strong sympathy for Iran. It is even possible that iranians are helping them. Do I think Iran has 'taken control' of anything... no I dont think so, they dont have to take control, there are more than enough iraqis who hate the us occupation to do it themselves.

That 'recent report' sounds very self serving to those who would sow discontent with iran and thrive on hatred and misery.

[Gloria]

3. I posted an article to the World Media Watch a short time ago

on this subject. It may have been from Asia Times Online, which is a great source.

I wish more people would check out the WMW because I look for stuff that is "off the radar screen" over here, but is very much in the news "over there."

[karlrschneider]

4. Naw...it's just a little "untidy"...

:grr: