Well here's some great news. Iraqi townspeople in the village of al-Mudhariya were threatened by terrorists that if they voted they would come back to attack them. The townspeople voted anyway and when the terrorists came back the townspeople attacked them killing 5 and wounding 8. They then triumphantly burned the terrorists car.

These townspeople obviously read my note that I wrote to them on election day and have agreed with me.

Australian Broadcasting Corp Radio

MARK WILLACY: That's right, Tony. The Iraqi police have investigated a case in the village of al-Mudhariya, which is just south of Baghdad. The villagers there say that before the election insurgents came and warned them that if they voted in last weekend's election, they would pay.

Now the people of this mixed village of Sunni and Shia Muslims, they ignored the threat and they did turn out to vote.

We understand that last night the insurgents came back to punish the people of al-Mudhariya, but instead of metering out that punishment the villagers fought back and they killed five of the insurgents and wounded eight. They then burnt the insurgents' car. So the people of that village have certainly had enough of the insurgents.

TONY EASTLEY: Do you think that is a one off, Mark, or is it a sign perhaps that some Iraqis are no longer sympathetic to the insurgents' cause, or at least no longer willing to turn a blind eye?

MARK WILLACY: It would appear that people are getting sick of the insurgency. I understand, though, that this is the first report of Iraqis confronting insurgents and actually fighting back in such a way.

Tipped by: Tim Blair

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