British forces supporting the uprising against Saddams regime.
Kuwait Newspaper Rai Al Aam saying that the Shiaa leader Syed Mohamad Baqir Al Hakim has said that the shiaa will resist US forces in south.
Maybe the old colonial dogma of “divide and conquer” isnt working this time 
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by MiniMe: *
...the shiaa will resist US forces in south.
[/QUOTE]
Many Shi'ites tried to engage in an unsuccessful, bloody rebellion 12 years ago, perhaps memories of that are still too fresh.
:( What a sad state of affairs this all is.
or perhapes that report is wrong.
I just hope this wont happen, but I will NEVER listen to a kuwaiti papers, or media.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Nadia_H: *
Many Shi'ites tried to engage in an unsuccessful, bloody rebellion 12 years ago, perhaps memories of that are still too fresh.
:( What a sad state of affairs this all is.
[/QUOTE]
It was unsuccessful only because of the chemical waepons used. It was no ordinary feat to have taken 14 areas out of 18 from the Republican Guards in 91. Theres no love between the Shias and Saddam and his forces but they have no love for the US either hence the "my enemy's enemyis my friend" does not apply here. I think they bottom line is they don't want to be used again. But all of this does not means they won't defend their own land.
Come on UTD/guys lets have some links.
Otherwise this is getting moved to general.
Here ya go:
http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-1085087,00.html
BASRA: ANTI-SADDAM RIOTS
Rioting is taking place in Basra by locals opposed to Saddam Hussein, reports say.
British forces are firing on Iraqi troops who are trying to crush the uprising, the reports add.
Reporter Richard Gaisford, who is with troops just west of Basra, said British intelligence officers told him about the civil uprising.
The Scots Dragoon Guards officers told him Saddam loyalists were firing mortar rounds at the attackers.
UK troops responded by firing artillery shells at the Iraqi positions, Gaisford said.
Two large explosions have been heard in the city centre and there are reports the ruling Ba’ath Party HQ has been hit.
Gaisford said the officers had earlier told him intelligence from the southern Iraqi city suggested that local people had indicated they would welcome the Allied forces but were in fear of Saddam loyalists.
“Now it seems they have had the courage to stand up to Saddam Hussein and his regime and they will be supported by British forces,” Gaisford said.
Gaisford said British troops were preparing to enter the city centre when dawn breaks in Iraq.
Sky News Foreign Editor Tim Marshall said that if the reports were true, it would be a “crucial moment” in the Iraq war.
He said it could trigger more uprisings across parts of Iraq - which the British and American governments had hoped for.
Marshall said the majority of the people around Basra were Shi’ite Muslims, who had been oppressed by Saddam’s regime.
Saddam’s ruling Ba’ath Party are predominantly made up of Sunni Muslims.
Earlier, British military sources said about 20 of Saddam Hussein’s henchmen were killed and a key party official captured in a raid by British forces near Basra on Monday night.
Haven't we learned yet to not get our hopes up too early??
While the Shia uprising seems a good sign, we haven't seen details yet. How big is the uprising? Are they still alive? If these people are successful it could turn more dangerous than fighting the Baath alone. Before the war we were told by them that they would seek their revenge against the Baath even if it means going against us. (That may be what MiniMe was talking about.)
Let's try to not get excited only to see our hopes crushed again. Not until we are dealing in certainties.
HKP: This (original thread) was a report on Fox News TV earlier. Saw it flipping channels...
Thanks OG.
I agree spoon not to get hopes up as momentum can change direction faster than an Iraqi sand storm. It's reported that Iraqi forces are firing on the Shiites.
This is sheer propaganda and to insecure the Iraqi leadership. There is no uprising most properly the ppl are protesting against to get their leader back who was captured by the British Soldiers, earlier ago. They went on the streets and this made them assume an uprising against the IRAQI troops.
Al Jazeera is showing live pictures from Basra and the uprising seems to be against the UK and US forces. They are showing hundreds of armed people on the streets.
The uprising might be against the coalition forces, coz because of them Basraiites are without water and electricity for the past few days. Even though the shias might be against Saddam, but I dont think they would side with US either.
Of course anything postive for American must be false.
Of course not who told you that… Every one saw how US was welcomed by Iraqis with open arms…LOL… Did you not see Iraqis showering flowers all over their librators… Dang!! with such hospitality I don’t blame Bush asking for another $75B. 
Basra: Why they are not cheering
*The explanation, according to British and American officials, is that Saddam Hussein’s forces are still oppressing the people who cannot therefore show their true emotions. *
Marines losing the battle of hearts and mind
*Watching from behind a barbed wire barrier as hundreds of the marines’ ammunition trucks, armoured amphibious vehicles, tankers, tanks and trucks lumbered past through clouds of dust as fine as talcum powder, Mr Ali asked why such a huge army was needed just to catch a single man.
“We don’t want Saddam, but we don’t want them [the Americans] to stay afterwards,” he said. “Like they entered into Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar and didn’t leave, they will do here. They are fighting Islam. They’re entering under the pretext of targeting Ba’ath, but they won’t leave.” *
Wow!! If Saddams army can fight two wars at the same time then I’d say ther are vastly underestimated or this oppression thing is another US/UK pearls of wisdom that got thim in this mess in the first place.
"The emerging scenario for the allies? As each day passes the war is getting less and less popular and people are getting more and more sceptical."
Who is this wise quote from?
"This is a bold and truthful article which exposes everything that is wrong with this war, and shows the doom that faces the US-UK forces."
Who gives us this pearl of wisdom?
Does a parrot repeat itself?
Quoteth Malik on 10-22-2001 and 10-29-2001 regarding the Afghanistan conflict!
Now we are again in a conflict, and the naysayers and merchants of doom are predicting a quagmire and a morrass! Nothing is as it seems, and the US is always wrong! The fat lady will take a few more weeks before she sings, until then, watch Al-Jazeera, and continue to cheer for repressive regimes in a desperate attempt to find someone, no matter how despicable, who will poke the US in the eye.
I say, salute to the Shia. Their freedom has been a long time coming. good Luck to them in the coming days....
I wouldnt believe it until it comes from a neutral source. After all it was the western media that was asserting the very first day, that Umm Qasr and Nasiriya are totally under control.
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*Originally posted by underthedome: *
Of course anything postive for American must be false.
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