Iraq sets Time for U.S. Pullout

[classicman]

Originally Posted by tw

The Madhr army says they will oppose with violence any agreement that results in US bases outside the cities.

Cite please. If you mean the Mahdi Army, then I believe you are mistaken. Moqtada al-Sadr has said repeatedly throughout the talks that he will not, specifically not, do so. That was apparently one of the lynch pins in getting the deal done.

As far back as August '08

Iraqi Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr would dissolve his Mahdi army militia if the United States started withdrawing troops according to a set timetable, a spokesman said. Sadr's decision to link disarming his militia to a US withdrawal comes at a crucial point in talks between Baghdad and Washington over a security pact to provide a legal basis for US troops in Iraq when a UN mandate expires at the end of the year.

I'm not sure that I believe him, but still, it was said.