December 9, 2003
RAISING THE COST OF BA'ATHISM (via Brian Hoffman):
Basra revenge killings increase (Dumeetha Luthra, 12/09/03, BBC)
The southern province has seen a sharp rise in the number of former Baath Party members being gunned down.Basra coalition forces have not been targeted to the same extent as in central Iraq, but the crime rate is high with murder a daily occurrence.
It seems the killings are targeting anyone from the previous regime, and not only senior figures connected with ousted leader Saddam Hussein.
While day to day life in Basra continues unhindered there is an undercurrent of fear with the daily news that another person has been killed or kidnapped.
Hard to see this as other than progress. Posted by Orrin Judd at December 9, 2003 5:52 PM
Would be better if it was done via the local law process. It would let the Iraqis know their govt is committed to de-Baathization and secures their support of working within the law. Too easy for these revenge killings to turn into continuous political violence.
Posted by: Chris Durnell at December 9, 2003 6:18 PMChris:
we're not going to execute them and they need executing. Why would you come to us?
Posted by: oj at December 9, 2003 8:06 PM"an undercurrent of fear" among the population. Hmm. Methinks the BBC reporter on the ground is (accurately) projecting...
Posted by: MG at December 9, 2003 8:13 PMIf the Iraqs can weed out the Baathists/other pro-Saddam types then the US can focus on those areas that can't (i.e. the Sunni Triangle). As pointed out many times before the Iraqies have a much better idea of who these people are than the US does. Being spun as bad news but as OJ points out is probably positive news.
Posted by: AWW at December 9, 2003 10:45 PMChris, it is local "law."
Posted by: Sandy P. at December 10, 2003 1:28 AM