Iraq Report IX

Over the last year, operations by Coalition and Iraqi forces have made signiﬁ cant gains against al-Qaeda in
Iraq and other Sunni insurgents. As the threat from these groups has decreased, Coalition Forces and the Iraqi
government have focused their attention on the problem of Shi'a militias in central and southern Iraq. Nowhere
was this threat more evident than in the southern city of Basra. In the wake of the premature British withdrawal
from the city center and transition to an overwatch capacity in late 2007, Basra became a haven for militia and
criminal activity. Rival Shi'a militias were engaged in a violent and protracted power struggle as drugs, weapons,
and oil smuggling rings thrived. In late March 2008, the Iraqi government launched an offensive to reclaim
the city from the militias. Iraq Report 9 offers a comprehensive look at the battle for Basra, Operation Knight's
Charge.

Editor's note: The Iraq Report is a regular feature at weeklystandard.com and offers detailed reporting and analysis of ongoing Coalition military operations both in Baghdad and throughout Iraq. To read the full report in pdf click here or on the image below.

Previous Iraq Reports:

Iraq Report I: From "New Way Forward" to New Commander, March 1, 2007

Iraq Report II: The Baghdad Security Plan begins., March 15, 2007

Iraq Report III: The Anbar Awakening., April 5, 2007