Inside Sadr City - Iraq

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Dec 2004
The Sunni resistance in Iraq may be dominating the headlines but for Allawi's government, a more disturbing battleground has emerged: Sadr city.

At a local school in Sadr city, the 'cubs' are being trained for war. Young boys go through their military drills, pledging their support for Sadr. These child recruits will eventually join the Mehdi army. "We currently use the AK27 and I'll teach some students how to make explosive devises," states their teacher. "You can make them at home." There's meant to be a cease fire in Sadr city but residents are still under attack. "The Prime Dunce ... Saddam Allawi made a statement saying that he had ceased military operations in Sadr City," says Moqtada Al-Sadr scathingly. "But less than half an hour later, the American planes bombed the city." Colonel Gary Voletsky commands a battalion stationed outside the city. He's lost 40% of his men through injuries since they moved here. On their worst night, they had 54 casualties in a 24 hour period. "It's just increasing all the time," he complains. The US still has not moved forces back into the city and the Mehdi army is preparing to fight them when they do. In Sadr city, even the children are preparing for their role in the struggle.

Channel: News & Politics
Uploaded: August 23, 2007 at 4:03 pm
Author: journeymanpictures

Length: 00:21:54
Rating: 4.66
Views: 5775

Tags: Sadr Sunni Mehdi Army Moqtada slum poverty

Video Comments:
misskall (September 16, 2008 at 2:15 am)
isalm is not a religion of hatred n murdering... the word" islam" comes from an arabic word"salam" which means "peace"...but its the western allies policy to produce killers n haters in islam just to show the world dat islam is cruel n a religion of hatred.Usama was created by the CIA n now when he turn againts them, he become a terrorist,,the same war was fought in afghanistan against russians,every 1 called it JIHAD,,why is it terrorism now when it is fought against USA?
bigtoomba (April 20, 2008 at 10:19 pm)
Brave people. Life can't be easy.
vb6wiz (April 13, 2008 at 11:05 am)
Man these people are not only ignorant and backwards, but they don't even value the life of the children. Islam has been murdering people from its Inception -- they are defeated constantly and yet it doesn't dawn on them that maybe god is not with them -- perhaps god is against them
irishlight42 (May 24, 2008 at 8:34 am)
Is it Islam that makes them do it? It says in the Quran that to take the life of the innocent, children specifically mentioned, is Haram. Suicide also according to Sura 4:29-30 instantly perishes the soul into Hell. But no, it is not just radical Muslims brainwashing people. What of the so called "Lord's Resistance Army" in Northern Uganda using child soldiers? Or the Maoist Army in Nepal (35% child soldiers)? As for God, maybe God takes both or neither sides of war.
vb6wiz (May 29, 2008 at 4:36 pm)
Perhaps you should read all of the Quran and not just quote the what is convenient. Since the religion is so peaceful, why not tell us what happens to apostates of Islam? Apostates, who leave a religion like Islam, such as Salman Rushdie, are supposed to be killed according to the Quran, the hadith, and later legal rulings. So please don't make me sit here and type hundreds of examples.
vb6wiz (May 29, 2008 at 4:37 pm)
Islam is a religion that preaches hatred - while there are others that do the same it makes Islam no better. Two wrongs don't make a right.
airpower123 (October 10, 2008 at 4:40 pm)
man i remeber Sadr City iraq. man that city was queit hard to take over. this now under US command as of last spring. we had to use UAVs.

we could have captured this in less than 10 minutes. but US soilders will die also. only about 3 soilders died here. god bless america
MAFHHZB (October 11, 2008 at 2:19 pm)
Taking one's life is called suicide, but giving your life to save your religion, nation, and people is called Martyrdom -and that is honored....as long as it is used on Armed Enemies...not unarmed Civilians, which the Wahabis of Saudi and Pakistan do.
vb6wiz (April 13, 2008 at 11:04 am)
lets see Israel has driven them back in every war, Iraq was toppled in just a few days, Afghanistan's oppressive regime is no more, the USS Cole wasn't sunk, and were it not for the USA the Russians would have wiped them out of Bosnia -- I mean don't they get it -- Their oppressive religion will NEVER rule the FREE world. Learn to live in peace and be tolerent of others.
bralviar (April 11, 2008 at 11:03 pm)
I symphatized with the belief of the Mehdi Army. But they have to accept that iraq central government and Iraqi security forces should be in charge of the whole Iraq. Peace to the people of Iraq will not come easily unless every Iraqi will submit himself or herself to one central authority. If the Iraqi people decide a new leader, let the people voice themselves by election in a peaceful way and not in fighting and taking arms. If people fight each other, everybody loss.