Despite soaring violence, Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh says that they will not allow the United States to extend the June 30 deadline for removing American troops from cities. Dabbagh said the dates in the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) cannot be extended.
Violence in Iraq has continued to rise over the past two months, with April standing as the deadliest month in over a year. US officials however say that Iraq’s decision is not necessarily final, echoing previous comments from military officials. Early in April, top US commander General Ray Odierno said that it was likely the US would choose to ignore the deadline because of the growing number of attacks by al-Qaeda. Nineveh commander Colonel Volesky added that Mosul was a likely city in which troops would remain.
The pact has only been in force for four months, but the United States and Iraqi governments have already clashed on several issues. Last week, US troops killed two civilians and captured several others in the city of Kut, which Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki called a “criminal” act and a violation of the SOFA. Though Maliki called for the troops involved to face Iraqi court trials, and the SOFA indeed made provisions for such a call, the US military ultimately overruled him, declaring they would “absolutely not” be made to stand trial for the action. Whether the US decides to overrule the Iraqi government on keeping troops in Iraqi cities past June 30 or not may well remain a question until July 1.
The Americans have absolutely no intention of leaving Iraq and will intensify the black flag operations called "sectarian" violence by them in order to use that as an excuse to stay in the cities. There is no doubt in my mind whatsoever that almost ALL of the Sunni on Shiaa violence in the past few years has been created by black flag operations. How else to explain the peaceful coexistance of both Muslim sects for centuries and then suddenly they are at each others throats…….. Divide and conquer.
Where the US goes, death and misery inevitably follow. The black "messiah" will turn out to be no different than the mass murderer Bush.
Washington speaks with forked tongue. The only way they'll leave is by being forced out!
Anyone who reads about Iraq on the net knew this would happen. The surge was a farce. The only question is if Obama will display the wisdom and courage to withdraw for a lost cause.
http://www.sandersresearch.com/index.php?option=c…
I believe the US will contract with Iran to take over in Iraq. We need to change our polarized mindset of staying-in or getting-out. The idea is to force the situation to its conclusion through natural consequence of the policy. The natural consequence will likely be that the resources and interest for the war will eventually burn out. The US will probably need to suffer more poverty, political failure, and deprivation on a larger scale before we are forced to quit. We certainly aren't going to gain much wealth by continuing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The generation that doesn't really understand the origins of Iraq will be the ones to bring its closure.