The Media Are the Enemy

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Here’s al-Reuters again, shamelessly propagandizing for Islamic thugs and murderers, painting them as Impassioned and Organized, and completely glossing over the fact that they’re using children as human shields.

NAJAF, Iraq (Reuters) - When shrapnel lands in Najaf’s Imam Ali shrine, Shi’ite militants holed up inside the sacred complex casually inspect the hot metal and then return to prayers or chanting defiant slogans.

Hardcore supporters of rebel cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, under siege by U.S. troops, seem in no hurry to end a standoff that has turned the Iraqi city of Najaf into a war zone and placed the shrine at the center of a bloody conflict.

Baking in the roofless courtyard of Iraq’s holiest Shi’ite Muslim shrine, militants who believe they are fighting Christian crusaders say they have enough food, water and ammunition to last for weeks, maybe months.

“We are here to kill and we have enough stamina,” said Hamed Khudayir, 54, referring to himself and his 10-year-old son Ali.

“The Americans are waging a Christian crusade against us with this occupation. They came here to conquer Iraq and rob the country,” the father said. …

Iraq’s pro-American interim government knows a U.S. raid on the shrine could be disastrous, inciting millions of Shi’ites in Iraq and abroad and playing into the hands of Sadr. So time is on Sadr’s side despite the U.S. air strikes at night which light up the area near the mosque and rattle Najaf.

The Mehdi Army and supporters of the young cleric cannot compete with U.S. warplanes and tanks but have established their own infrastructure and supply lines that keep them defiant. Sadr sympathizers cook rice and potatoes in huge black cauldrons and then the food is patiently carried in pots to small groups of militants.

“We eat together and pray together in small groups. This keeps up morale,” said Abdel Reda, 23, who traveled to Najaf from Baghdad to support Sadr.

Large metal filtered water coolers are located inside the marble inner courtyard of the mosque, essential for fighting off the blistering heat. Metal cups are chained to the cooler to make sure nobody walks off with them. Sadr supporters sit on the floor and sip tea from old tomato cans.

Amid nearby explosions, sniper fire and shelling, young boys neatly spread out carpets and clean them.

This sort of “reporting” would have been unthinkable in World War II. But then, the press wasn’t on the enemy’s side.

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Last updated: 2023-04-04 11:11 am PDT
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