Basra Iraq Explodes....Literally...As IEDs and Motorcycle-embedded Bombs Kill 19

Iraqi security forces survey the scene of a bomb explosion in the southern Iraqi port city of Basra. - AFP Photo

One of the most quiet areas of all of Iraq shook yesterday when multiple bombings took place in Basra, Iraq - the southern sector of the country. At least three bombs went off that ended up killing at least 19 people.

From the report at DAWN:

Three bombs exploded on Thursday in the south Iraq port city of Basra, killing 19 people, including high-ranking army and police officers, and wounding at least 65, security and medical officials said.

A roadside bomb and a motorcycle bomb exploded simultaneously at about 6:40 pm (1540 GMT) in a market in central Basra, an interior ministry official said.

Following a common pattern in Iraq, a third roadside bomb went off as people gathered at the scene, according to the official, who put toll at 19 killed and 67 wounded.

An army brigade commander and a high-ranking police officer were among the dead, while police and soldiers were also wounded in the blasts, the official said.

Although Basra was one of the least infiltrated areas by al Qaeda in Iraq during the years of the Iraq War and in fact, the southern area was more affected by Iranian backed Hezbollah Brigades, this attack bears the trademark of al Qaeda. The fact that the third bomb went off killing the majority of people after they gathered to help the first victims proves this was al Qaeda - that is by far the best identifier of al Qaeda.

The fact that al Qaeda is back causing chaos in Basra has to be concerning to a LOT of Iraqis and Americans who fear this country slipping back into a war.

Nineteen killed in south Iraq bombings: officials





BASRA: Three bombs exploded on Thursday in the south Iraq port city of Basra, killing 19 people, including high-ranking army and police officers, and wounding at least 65, security and medical officials said.

A roadside bomb and a motorcycle bomb exploded simultaneously at about 6:40 pm (1540 GMT) in a market in central Basra, an interior ministry official said.

Following a common pattern in Iraq, a third roadside bomb went off as people gathered at the scene, according to the official, who put toll at 19 killed and 67 wounded.

An army brigade commander and a high-ranking police officer were among the dead, while police and soldiers were also wounded in the blasts, the official said.

Riyadh Abdelamir, the head of the Basra health directorate, said that 19 people were killed and 65 wounded in the blasts.

Army and police deployed in force following the blasts, cordoning off the market, an AFP correspondent said.

It was the deadliest day in Iraq since October 27, when two roadside bombs in Baghdad’s Urr neighbourhood killed at least 32 people and wounded 71 others.

On November 2, three motorbike bombings in Basra killed at least nine people and wounded at least 37.

Violence has declined nationwide since its peak in 2006 and 2007, but attacks remain common. A total of 258 people were killed in October, according to official figures.

U.S. Airstrikes Called In For Basra

Some of you long time Holger Awakens readers will remember how vehemently I was opposed to the British withdrawl from Basra many months ago...well, I hate to tell you so, Gordon Brown, but I told you so, idiot! The battles in Basra this week have become so pitched that the U.S. was called in for airstrikes against the Sadrists and the Hizbullah Brigades. The Iraqi Army has been holding its own but I don't think either the U.S. or Iraqi leadership expected this type of resistance. And the whole reason for all of this was the hasty and unplanned retreat from Basra by the British that allowed all kinds of militia jihadists to infiltrate the Basra police ranks.
Here's an excerpt from the story of the air strikes:

A British military spokesman in Basra says U.S. warplanes have carried out at least two airstrikes overnight in Iraq's southern oil port.
Maj. Tom Holloway says jets have been providing air support since clashes between Shiite militias and Iraqi forces erupted in the southern oil port on Monday, but it's the first time bombs have been dropped.

The other issue with the Basra conflict is Iraq's Prime Minister Maliki...this guy needs to learn how to keep his mouth shut. Unlike a military commander who will make no promises of victory or set deadlines, this is the second time that Maliki has made braggadosio threats and predictions in a conflict - first, he promised a huge defeat of al Qaeda in Mosul and that campaign is still going on, painstakingly slowly and now he has been talking of a crushing defeat of the militias in Basra (and now, he has had to call out for help from American air power).

Basra was a marvel of military success by the British and if not for their new dhimmi Prime Minister in Britain, Basra would still be in control and peaceful.

Here's the full story from Breitbart.

US Jets Drop Bombs in Basra

Iraqis have been of control of security in Basra since the British withdrew last December, but Britain maintains troops there to provide assistance when needed.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
BAGHDAD (AP)—Coalition jets dropped bombs overnight in Basra for the first time since clashes between Shiite militias and Iraqi security forces erupted in the southern oil port this week, British officials said Friday.
Shiite militants also clashed with government forces for a fourth day in Iraq's oil-rich south and sporadic fighting broke out in Baghdad, despite a weekend curfew in the capital.
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has promised "no retreat" in the fight against militias in Basra despite growing anger among followers of radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr and his Mahdi Army.
The crackdown has intensified Sadrist anger over recent raids and detentions. They say U.S. and Iraqi forces have taken advantage of their seven-month-old cease-fire to target the movement.
Al-Sadr on Thursday called for a political solution to the burgeoning crisis and an end to the "shedding of Iraqi blood." But the statement, released by a close aide, stopped short of ordering his Mahdi Army militia to halt attacks.
The situation in Basra remained tense after the Iraqis asked for airstrikes on at least two locations, a local British official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to release the information.
A British defense official in London who also declined to be identified in line with department policy, however, said U.S. fighter jets dropped the bombs while British planes provided air support.
Iraqis have been of control of security since the British withdrew last December but Britain maintain troops there to provide assistance when needed.
In Baghdad, a U.S. helicopter also fired a Hellfire missile during fighting in the Baghdad's militia stronghold of Sadr City early Friday, killing four gunmen, military spokesman Lt. Col. Steve Stover said.
Ground forces called for the airstrike after coming under small-arms fire while clearing a main supply route at 4:10 a.m., he added.
Iraqi police and hospital officials in Sadr City said five civilians were killed and four others wounded in the attack.
The strikes underscore the risks that the U.S. and its allies in Iraq could be drawn into an internal Shiite conflict that has threatened to unravel al-Sadr's cease-fire and spark a new cycle of violence after months of relative calm.

Battles In Basra, Iraq Are NOT With Sadr's Mahdi Army But Hezbollah

Everywhere you look on the net today you will see headlines such as: Sadr's Mahdi Army Battles in Four Cities or Basra Scene of Sadr Militia Fighting Iraqi Troops. The problem with that is that it isn't primarily Mookie's army that is waging battle, it is Hezbollah's entrant into the Iraq War, namely Hizballah Brigades of Iraq. The fact of the matter is that the Hizballah Brigades and Sadr's bunch of militia misfits are aligned but don't be fooled, this latest wave of violence and attacks is Hezbollah's doing. This is from the article:

It was the governments first challenge to the dominant new armed force, the Hizballah Brigades of Iraq, which our sources report raised its head in mid-January in several parts of the country, including Baghdad

Now, what this opportunity does afford the United States is a unique scenario. If members of the Hizballah Brigades of Iraq are captured and confess to their base of operations being Hezbollah in Lebanon, then we have every right to go after Lebanon operations. It's my view that the U.S. has always been lacking a direct damning reason to be able to attack Hamas or Hezbollah - we have always had to defer somewhat to Israel as they have been the target. Now, WE are the target of Hezbollah and it's time to lower the boom on these clowns.

Who knows, if we are able to lay some hurt on Hezbollah in Lebanon, it may just flush out Ahmadinejad's hand in Iran - and it would be a very good thing to see the Iranians have to play their cards well before they are ready.

Bottom line here is that with the Brits bailing out of Basra, the Iraqi Army and police are not going to be able to match up with Hezbollah training and expertise. Sooner or later, unfortunately, we are going to have American blood spilled by a Hizballah Brigades jihadist and when that happens, I , personally, want to see retribution happen in a Beirut suburb. Yeah, Nasrallah...i'm talking about you, chump.

Here's the full story from DEBKA.

Exclusive: At least 27 killed, 100 injured, in first Iraqi forces' showdown with Hizballah in Iraq

DEBKAfile’s military sources report that heavy fighting was sparked in the southern Iraqi oil hub city Tuesday, March 25, by the major clean-up campaign embarked on by Iraqi government forces under prime minister Nouri al Maliki‘s personal command. It was the governments first challenge to the dominant new armed force, the Hizballah Brigades of Iraq, which our sources report raised its head in mid-January in several parts of the country, including Baghdad. More than 27 dead and 100 injured reported in the first hours of the Iraqi clampdown. The Shiite towns of Kut, Samawa and Nasiriyeh are under curfew.
DEBKAfile reports: Some of Muqtada Sadr’s Mehdi Army followers threatened civil revolt in solidarity with Hizballah. The two radical Shiite groups are closely allied.
The next DEBKA-Net-Weekly out Friday closely examines Iraq’s changing battlefield and brings fresh disclosures.
The new arrival has joined the armed Shiite groups and criminal gangs battling for control of Basra and its oil resources. Ignored by the international media, the Iraqi Hizballah draws on its Lebanese command for orders, fighters, arms and cash. A tentacle of the Lebanese Shiite terror group has therefore quietly grabbed a piece of the insurgent action in Iraq under the aegis of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards al Qods Brigades.
The free-for-all in southern Iraq drove a reduced British force into a closed base in the region last December. They are not involved in the current combat, although “coalition air power” is said to be assisting the Iraqi forces.