Muqtada al-Sadr’s militia has seized control of the southern city of al-Amarah. According to CNN, “Since British troops left Amarah in August, residents say the militia has been involved in a series of killings, including slayings of merchants suspected of selling alcohol and women alleged to have engaged in behavior deemed immoral by militiamen.” This, more than anything, suggests that any type of withdrawal prior to the eradication of the militias will do Iraqis and US security far more harm than good. Creating vacuums is never a good idea, however it is packaged.