Iraq in a 'state of war': Defence Minister

[ECH1969]

Gunmen killed a much-loved Iraqi comedian on Monday, as attacks and kidnaps of senior politicians and dozens of ordinary people prompted the defense minister to declare that Iraq was now in a "state of war".

The past week has seen sectarian tensions come to a head inside Iraq's national unity government, which has yet to make headway on key issues six months after taking office on May 20 on a pledge to reconcile communities and avert civil war.

At a news conference uniting ministers who have been openly at odds over the fate of dozens of civil servants kidnapped by suspected Shi'ite militiamen, Defence Minister Abdel Qader Jassim said the security forces were hunting the kidnappers: "We are in a state of war and in war all measures are permissible."

The Shi'ite interior minister said it was not a sectarian attack on the Sunni-run Higher Education Ministry. Education officials have rejected government assertions that most hostages have been freed, saying dozens are still missing.

http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/nov202006/update2234220061120.asp

[BikeWriter]

1. It could last, you know, six days, six weeks. I doubt six months."

"And it is not knowable if force will be used , but if it is to be used, it is not knowable how long that conflict would last. It could last, you know, six days, six weeks. I doubt six months."
Rumsfeld

[anotherdrew]

2. time for us to bug out 0 we're useless in Iraq, can't do shit but kill and be killed

time to get out, like, yesterday

[LynnTheDem]

3. No can leave...

The importance of oil in the region "means that it would be entirely unacceptable for the United States to consider withdrawal from Iraq, no matter how insecure the environment".
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,20794524-5006506,00.html

[knight_of_the_star]

4. Naw shit!

Get outta town, Iraq's not in a state of war, didn't you hear that it would be over in six months and the boys would be home for Christmas? :sarcasm:

Took them long enough to admit what a blind man could see.