Posted on 08/06/2008 3:03:41 PM PDT by Starman417
Per a news release from yesterday, Muqtada al-Sadr plans to disarm the Mahdi militia, and change it to a social services organization that focuses on education, religion and social justice... all without weaponry.
Recently, however, the group has been hit by a largely successful Iraqi military crackdown against militia members operating as criminal gangs. At the same time, Mr. Sadr's popular support is dwindling: Residents who once viewed the Mahdi Army as champions of the poor became alienated by what they saw as its thuggish behavior.A new brochure, obtained by The Wall Street Journal and confirmed by Mr. Sadr's chief spokesman, Sheik Salah al-Obeidi, states that the Mahdi Army will now be guided by Shiite spirituality instead of anti-American militancy. The group will focus on education, religion and social justice, according to the brochure, which is aimed at Mr. Sadr's followers. The brochure also states that it "is not allowed to use arms at all."
Posters have been put up in some areas of Baghdad saying a new direction for the Mahdi Army will be announced at this Friday's prayers.
Whatever Sadr's personal intent, it's unlikely that the rogue elements contined within the Mahdi militias will comply. Sadr's been frustrated that not all follow his orders to lay down arms, and ignore the cease file he signed with the Iraqi govt in May. The differences have caused internal strike, with assassinations being carried out on other Mahdi members who support the cease fire.
For Sadr personally, it's a way back to credibility.
(Excerpt) Read more at Flopping Aces ...
sounds like the shia version of acorn,
or obama in chicago.
The Mahdi army should become a smoking crater instead.
Mahdi’s army is turning into democrats. BWAHAHAHA! Like the dems, they just want to get their hands on the money and the power.
After a few weeks or months, they’ll return to murdering and terrorizing, hoping they’ll have support from the people again for all the good deeds they had done. Kill them all now while they’re on the ropes.
Yeah. Riiiiiight!
Where have we heard of this sort of group before?
Oh, yes. In Lebanon. Their name is Hezbollah. Thank God they’re so honorable.
Nah. Al-Sadr is ready to become part of the Iraqi establishment. He's been positioning himself for this for a while. There are still some die-hards in his organization, but he's marginalized them to the point where the Iraqi and US forces will be able to take them out for him, wihtout any real negative consequences to his prestige and influence.
That's the way warfare works in the Orient- half the time, you win wars by getting your opponents to join your side.
This is their hope, I guarantee it. They have no intention of permanently abandoning violence. They should all be stains on a road instead.
OK, just cut off all their testicles, make them clean the sewers and I’m happy.
He should call Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton for advice! You know- get gov. grants and extort companies on the side. They got rich without guns. It's up to the Iraqis to put up with their version of Jackson and Sharpton.
Taqqiyah
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