02-23-2006, 05:54 PM
(This post was last modified: 02-23-2006, 06:05 PM by Occhidiangela.)
The Imam Ali Mosque
A massively significant shrine for Shi'ite Muslims, and Muslims in general, the Imam Ali Mosque in An Najaf Iraq was the backdrop to a savage battle in August of 2004, a battle that included two different Shia factions (Sadr's Muktada Militia included), Marines from I MEF, and the Army's First Cavalry. As intense as the fighting was, the Imam Ali Mosque emerged unscathed. To say massive importance was placed, by American leadership, on not hitting that beautiful, golden domed mosque is to say birds fly and bombs fall.
The day I left the Persian Gulf in 2004, an operation that I'd been expecting to kick off went live -- the effort to counter foreign and indigenous guerillas from Samarra. Once again, clear political guidance was given to leave the Golden Mosque of Samarra unscathed. As in Najaf, a Mosque that has a "sanctuary" status often allows a "privileged sanctuary" to combatants (guerillas, terrorists, what have you) who are willing to risk the mosque's integrity by firing from it at American or other forces, to include Iraqi units.
The upshot is that in some cases "you can't shoot back."
Not all mosques get privileged status. Under Geneva, as soon as you start using a religious building as a fighting position, or as a military building (headquarters, for example,) it loses any "protected" status it may have had. Same for hospitals and schools.
The delicate approach to firing into some mosques can cause casualties for the Coalition forces (Americans/Italians, etc) but that risk is accepted for a longer term political aim: to leave intact the symbols and icons, important relics of Iraq, to the people of Iraq for their future and posterity. It is a very worthwhile goal.
Of course, Shi'ite and Sunni militia and guerillas, and other terrorists, don't answer to Washington, and pursue their own agendas for their own reasons.
The simmering civil war of the past 2 1/2 years seems to have gotten its Fort Sumter, its Gavrilo Princip.
The Golden Mosque of Samarra Attacked and Damaged
Samarra as a tourism destination, some years ago
I dare say all those calling for calm will call in vain for quite some time until tempers ebb or a blood price is exacted. The descent into chaos is closer.
Occhi
A massively significant shrine for Shi'ite Muslims, and Muslims in general, the Imam Ali Mosque in An Najaf Iraq was the backdrop to a savage battle in August of 2004, a battle that included two different Shia factions (Sadr's Muktada Militia included), Marines from I MEF, and the Army's First Cavalry. As intense as the fighting was, the Imam Ali Mosque emerged unscathed. To say massive importance was placed, by American leadership, on not hitting that beautiful, golden domed mosque is to say birds fly and bombs fall.
The day I left the Persian Gulf in 2004, an operation that I'd been expecting to kick off went live -- the effort to counter foreign and indigenous guerillas from Samarra. Once again, clear political guidance was given to leave the Golden Mosque of Samarra unscathed. As in Najaf, a Mosque that has a "sanctuary" status often allows a "privileged sanctuary" to combatants (guerillas, terrorists, what have you) who are willing to risk the mosque's integrity by firing from it at American or other forces, to include Iraqi units.
The upshot is that in some cases "you can't shoot back."
Not all mosques get privileged status. Under Geneva, as soon as you start using a religious building as a fighting position, or as a military building (headquarters, for example,) it loses any "protected" status it may have had. Same for hospitals and schools.
The delicate approach to firing into some mosques can cause casualties for the Coalition forces (Americans/Italians, etc) but that risk is accepted for a longer term political aim: to leave intact the symbols and icons, important relics of Iraq, to the people of Iraq for their future and posterity. It is a very worthwhile goal.
Of course, Shi'ite and Sunni militia and guerillas, and other terrorists, don't answer to Washington, and pursue their own agendas for their own reasons.
The simmering civil war of the past 2 1/2 years seems to have gotten its Fort Sumter, its Gavrilo Princip.
The Golden Mosque of Samarra Attacked and Damaged
Samarra as a tourism destination, some years ago
I dare say all those calling for calm will call in vain for quite some time until tempers ebb or a blood price is exacted. The descent into chaos is closer.
Occhi
Cry 'Havoc' and let slip the Men 'O War!
In War, the outcome is never final. --Carl von Clausewitz--
Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum
John 11:35 - consider why.
In Memory of Pete
In War, the outcome is never final. --Carl von Clausewitz--
Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum
John 11:35 - consider why.
In Memory of Pete