Will this be Iraqis "Tet Offensive"?

[ben_meyers]

The 1968 Viet Nam Tet offensive finally turned even Walter Cronkite against LBJ and the war. That was also an election year and brought the focus back to the on going disaster in S.E. Asia. Even though the U.S. "won" the battle it really was the end of any support left by the American public.

Iraqi and U.S. Forces Battle Shiite Militia
BAGHDAD — Heavy fighting broke out Tuesday in Iraq’s two largest cities, as Iraqi ground forces and helicopters mounted a huge operation to break the grip of the Shiite militias controlling Basra and Iraqi forces clashed with militias in Baghdad. The fighting threatened to destabilize a long-term truce that has helped reduce the level of violence in the five-year-old Iraq war.

Tuesday’s battles, along with indications in recent weeks that militia and insurgent attacks had already been creeping up, raised fears across Iraq that Moktada al-Sadr, the renegade Shiite cleric, could pull out of a cease-fire he declared last summer. If his Mahdi Army militia does step up attacks, that could in turn slow American troop withdrawals.

[LSparkle]

1. Interesting comparison -- I'd forgotten Tet happened in election year

Could very well be. All we've heard from Bomb-Bomb McSame is that the "surge
is working." It's only been "working" because of the Sadr truce ... if that's
over, all bets are off and he could be even MORE toast than he already is.

[TahitiNut]

3. Well, "Tet" happens every year.

There were TWO significant "Tet Offensives" ... the much-ballyhooed 1968 and the more PAVN-intense 1969.

[jimshoes]

2. How could it slow American troop withdrawals?

Betrayus said just recently that troop levels were going to remain the same and there would be no troop reductions for now didn't he.

[mike3121]

4. Another Tet Offensive

I was severely wounded in the Tet 68 offensive. I don't think all Iraq's support Sadr and will rise up in arms supporting him.

[Mojorabbit]

5. Welcome to DU

and thank you for your service.

[Strelnikov_]

6. Preparatory operation to attack on Iran

Bleed Shia militia's, and Shia manned military, through internecine warfare, to reduce threat in rear area.


Three divisions of Iraqi army show up within days in Basra, initiate coordinated operations to clear city, after Sadr militia 'start causing problems'.

Sadr City surrounded.

All over some Sadrist militia commanders going off the reservation.


Sort of like going after a few kidnapped Israeli soldiers with half of your military.