U.S. troops anticipate Shiite militia comeback in Sadr City

[unhappycamper]

It may lack for creature comforts, but Joint Security Station Oubaidy offers excellent views of Sadr City.


U.S. troops anticipate Shiite militia comeback in Sadr City
By Michael Gisick, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Sunday, May 25, 2008

BAGHDAD — There are certain things about this latest cease-fire that do seem different, Pfc. Michael Tanner says, standing outside an armored vehicle idling at a U.S. outpost across the street from the walls surrounding from Sadr City.

"The Iraqi army is actually going in there and nobody’s fighting them," Tanner says, gesturing toward the massive Shiite enclave. "They’re actually doing some good."

The outpost housing Tanner’s unit, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, was one of the first targets of militiamen when fighting broke out on March 25, and it remained a frequent target until a little more than a week ago.

From their pockmarked roof, soldiers here can see that things have quieted down. But few express Tanner’s optimism that they might stay that way.

"I don’t think it’s going to stay quiet," says Pfc. Jeff Pisonero, 20, of Hemet, Calif. "The militias are just refitting. I don’t think it’s going to stay quiet at all."


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=55074