In early 2009, the US took over control of the Basra Province from British forces, following years of complaints that Britain wasn’t being aggressive enough against Shi’ite groups in the overwhelmingly Shi’ite province.
Now it seems that US position has come full circle, as the Basra Provincial Council has barred all American troops from entering the province, and demanded that they vacate the Basra International Airport.
The US has a military base at the airport and also controls all traffic on the civilian side of the airport. The latest controversy came after US attack helicopters launched strikes against “suspects” in the city, with reports of several civilian casualties.
The resolution passed in a 26-9 vote in the council, with strong support from the Sadrist Trend. The resolution also demanded that the US compensate citizens for damages suffered during military operations in the oil rich province.
And of course since it was voted on by lawfully elected representatvies the United States will respect democracy and abide by this decision. Hahahahahahaha! Nah, I was just joking, we all know that's not going to happen.
But will the U.S. respect the resolution?
And now we shall how the US military reacts to a democratic government voting it out of the picture.
Any bets on a) how long it will take to pack up and leave, or b) will the troops leave at all?
Good for Iraq, standing on it's own feet- just like we wanted, right? RIGHT?
If that doesn't make you want to sent a battalion of the Screamin' 423rd in there on a weekend furlough, I don't know what could.
You idiots realize the foreign policy of iraq is determined by the Federal Government right?
Not by city councils………