August 29, 2007

Iraq News Roundup: War Funding, Karbala Curfew, Cholera Outbreak

War Spending: The Washington Post reports that President Bush will request up to $50 billion in additional funding for the war in Iraq. The president plans to wait until after Gen. David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker deliver their September progress reports to present his request to Congress. This signals that the administration is confident it can resist calls for troop withdrawal.

Militias: Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr is suspending the activities of his Mahdi Army militia for the next six months in order to "rehabilitate" and "reorganize".

Karbala: Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki imposed a curfew in the city of Karbala after fighting on Tuesday left dozens killed and wounded. Calm has been restored to the city, but Radio Free Europe reports that the clashes in Karbala were between rival Shiite militias and that this "may mark the beginning of a new phase of fighting" in southern Iraq.

Health: Officials are reporting a breakout of cholera in northern Iraq. Over 4,000 patients have been treated for the disease and it is being blamed for eight deaths. Health officials warn that without aid from the international community, the outbreak could spread.

Posted at 12:53 PM
Posted to: Bush Administration, Iraq, Middle East, President Bush
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