BIG CRACKDOWN IS COMING TO SADR CITY

The Iraqi government is telling residents of Sadr city to get out. This is a clear sign that a smackdown is coming.

Iraqi security forces, after more than of 40 days of intense fighting, on Thursday told residents to evacuate their homes in the northeast Shiite slum of Sadr City and to move to temporary shelters on two soccer fields.

The military's call, indicating the possibility of stepped-up military operations, came as Iraqi security forces raided the radio station run by backers of Shiite cleric Muqtada al Sadr and militants launched rockets at a coalition force operating base in the southern port city of Basra, killing two contractors and injuring four civilians and four coalition soldiers.

Two soccer fields in east and northeast Baghdad are expected to receive some 16,000 evacuees from the southeast portion of the city where the fighting has been most intense.

Frankly, I would evacuate the entire city in this fashion with the understanding that anyone left will be considered an enemy combatant. Then I would establish checkpoints for return to ensure that arms were not re-entering the city. Not full proof by any means, but certainly a better alternative to sporadic engagements that accomplish nothing.