How Maliki lost the battle of Basra?

You may think Sadrists website nahrainnet victory claims are not true saying: Mahdi Army is the victorious in the battle of Basra, Maliki changes his threats into cash-for weapon offer.

Think again, I have many reasons to believe it is true:

When Maliki became a military commander

Zaid Al-Zubaidi wrote on Al-Akhbar how Al-Maliki in a matter of few minutes became an army commander, but…

Notice that Maliki didn’t play any role in Baghdad security plan despite its importance, but the role is changed this time, Maliki wants the “honour” of leading the Shiite-Shiite war, people close to the Iraqi government say that he believe himself as a military commander.

This important part gives few details about the sectarian structure of the Iraqi army.

…At the formation of the Interior Ministry [security and police] deal was: All officers and leader from Dawa Party and Badr Brigades, both are part of Supreme Council of Islamic Iraqi [Al-Hakim], and low level personnel from Mahdi Army who are doing the executive tasks which makes them the sectarian hit power in the Iraqi’s eyes.

In Basra’s fights the table is turned, and this plan is counterproductive, officers can not fight without soldiers and worst, officers are afraid from their soldiers that they left their positions, weapons and military vehicles.

Elaph contacted sources in Basra who said that thousands of Basra-origin soldiers refused to get involved in a fight with Mahdi Army fighters; they are about 16 thousand soldiers.

He confirmed that the Mahdi Army had taken over dozens of military vehicles of the Iraqi army, Maliki’s appeal to the gunmen to lay down their arms within 72 hours was a significant failure that is why he extended it few other days.

http://www.uruknet.de/?s1=1&p=42516&s2=29

http://www.roadstoiraq.com/2008/03/28/when-maliki-became-a-military-commander-without-army/