Opinion | Editorials
Another rebuke from Al Maliki
Washington is demonstrating remarkable insensitivity to the people of Iraq.
- Gulf News
- Published: 00:00 August 10, 2006
The US is desperately trying to save Baghdad from total collapse by sending in over 3,000 more troops to fight the insurgents, while it is losing the support of Iraqis, including that of the new Iraqi government.
Much of the lost support is due to the way in which American troops are handling personnel. Allied forces have shown themselves to be less than aware when dealing with the ethnic groups and at times demonstrated a lack of political and religious sensitivity.
The most recent incident, a US attack on a Shiite militia stronghold in Sadr City, necessitated Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki to strongly criticise the American forces and apologise to Moqtada Al Sadr.
With Al Maliki having to apologise for US excesses, the second time in as many months, it creates unnecessary embarrassment to him while undermining any authority the Iraqi government is trying to impose upon the people.
While American troops continue to take such independent initiatives and aggravate already bad situations by making them worse, it is unlikely the government will ever be able to take effective control of the country, as such US actions merely hand more ammunition to the insurgents.
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