Oct. 18, 2004 – As the last day of a weapons exchange program in the Baghdad slum and Mehdi Army stronghold of Sadr City came to a close, a mortar attack killed a civilian and two Iraqi National Guard members. The seven-day weapons-for-money arrangement was negotiated between rebel Shi’ite cleric Muqtada Al-Sadr and the Iraqi government. However, as with previous such schemes, the effectiveness of the latest effort is in doubt.
US and Iraqi officials had touted the plan as proof that tensions between US and Iraqi forces and the militia loyal to Al-Sadr were easing. However, reports suggested that the initiative, while serving as a source of cash for some residents in the poverty-stricken area, did not meet its intended goal of disarming the Mehdi Army.
"Our expectations had been that thousands of weapons would be handed in," Captain Brian O'Malley of the First Cavalry Division told Reuters. "We haven't seen that many," he added. Occupation authorities have estimated the size of the Mehdi militia at as many as 10,000 armed rebels.
O'Malley also conceded that many of the guns turned in are old or in bad shape, and he expressed doubts that the group had fully disarmed. Perhaps most ominous for occupation forces, the program reportedly recovered few heavy weapons and dreaded improvised explosive devices were recovered by the program.
On Sunday, the last day of the program, which had been extended from five to seven days, a mortar round fell near a stadium being used as an exchange site, killing three and wounding several civilians. It is unclear who launched the attack.
