More on the Karbala attack

Last night, I was commenting on the unusual and unclear nature of the Shia attack that killed five US soldiers in Karbala yesterday. The WaPo has more. This was a very sophisticated, targeted operation.

After arriving at the Provincial Joint Coordination Center in Karbala, 60 miles southwest of Baghdad, the attackers detonated sound bombs, Iraqi officials said. "They wanted to create a panic situation," said an aide to Karbala Gov. Akeel al-Khazaali.

The men then stormed into a room where Americans and Iraqis were making plans to ensure the safety of thousands of people expected to visit the holy city for an upcoming holiday.

"They didn't target anyone but the American soldiers," the governor's aide said.

After the attack, the assailants returned to their vehicles and drove away. It was unclear how many people participated, and the men's identities and motive remained unclear, but the attack was particularly striking because of the resources and sophistication involved, Iraqi officials said.

This was a very discreet operation specifically targeting these five US soldiers. They killed them and got out. It was "a hit."

It was well planned, executed, and scouted (probably someone inside the Iraqi Security Forces.)

But as to the why...? Was this meant as a warning to the US that the Shia militias have teeth?

There's something here I'm still not getting.