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Keyword: alsadr

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  • Iraqis stage mass anti-US rally

    10/18/2008 12:29:18 PM PDT · by austrian · 45 replies · 971+ views
    Supporters of Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr have staged a mass demonstration in Baghdad in protest against plans to extend the US mandate in Iraq. An estimated 50,000 protesters chanted slogans such as "Get out occupier!". Iraqi and US negotiators drafted the deal after months of talks but it still needs approval from Iraq's government. Under the agreement US troops would withdraw by 2011, and Iraq would have the right to prosecute Americans who commit crimes while off-duty. The UN mandate for US-led coalition forces expires at the end of this year. About 144,000 of the 152,000 foreign troops deployed there...
  • Muqtada al-Sadr urges rejection of US-Iraqi pact

    10/18/2008 8:40:25 AM PDT · by nuconvert · 11 replies · 567+ views
    BAGHDAD – Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr on Saturday called on Iraq's parliament to reject a U.S.-Iraqi security pact as tens of thousands of his followers rallied in Baghdad against the deal. The mass public show of opposition came as U.S. and Iraqi leaders face a Dec. 31 deadline to reach agreement on the deal, which would replace an expiring U.N. mandate authorizing the U.S.-led forces in Iraq. Al-Sadr's message was read by his aide Sheik Abdul-Hadi al-Mohammadawi before a huge crowd of mostly young men waving Iraqi and green Shiite flags and chanting slogans including "no, no to the agreement"...
  • A US Withdrawal Deal with Sadr?

    08/08/2008 6:12:50 PM PDT · by flyfree · 30 replies · 189+ views
    time ^ | Aug. 08, 2008 | MARK KUKIS
    Shi'ite militia leader Muqtada al-Sadr stepped back into Iraq's political fray Friday with an offer that (if genuine) Washington would be hard-pressed to refuse: Set a timetable for withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, and the Mahdi Army will begin to disband. "The main reason for the armed resistance is the American military presence," said Sadr emissary Salah al-Ubaidi, who spoke to reporters in Najaf Friday. "If the American military begins to withdrawal, there will be no need for these armed groups." Sadr in the past has vowed to expand the humanitarian work of his movement but promised to maintain...
  • Report: Sadr to disarm Mahdi Army (U.S. Winning In Iraq Alert!)

    08/06/2008 6:24:51 AM PDT · by xzins · 35 replies · 143+ views
    Stars & Stries ^ | 6 Aug 08 | S&S
    Report: Sadr to disarm Mahdi Army Stars and Stripes Mideast edition, Wednesday, August 6, 2008 Anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr intends to disarm his once-dominant Mahdi Army militia and remake it as a social-services organization, The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday. The transformation would represent a significant turnaround for a group that has been one of the most destabilizing anti-American forces in Iraq. A new brochure, obtained by The Wall Street Journal and confirmed by al-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...
  • Radical Iraq Cleric in Retreat

    08/04/2008 6:27:19 PM PDT · by flyfree · 28 replies · 207+ views
    wsj ^ | August 5, 2008 | GINA CHON
    BAGHDAD -- Anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr -- long a thorn in the side of the U.S. military and Iraqi government -- intends to disarm his once-feared Mahdi Army militia and remake it as a social-services organization. The transformation would represent a significant turnabout for a group that, as recently as earlier this year, was seen as one of the most destabilizing anti-American forces in Iraq. For much of the past several years, the Mahdi Army, headed by Mr. Sadr, a Shiite cleric, controlled sizable chunks of Baghdad and other major cities. Its brand of pro-Shiite activism had the side effect...
  • Sadr Becomes Traitor, Iranian Agent, Against Iraq

    06/27/2008 8:40:41 AM PDT · by Ernest_at_the_Beach · 34 replies · 114+ views
    Strata Sphere ^ | Jun 27 2008 | AJStrata
    Seems like Moqtada al-Sadr, the anti-American Iraqi Shiite cleric hiding in Iran, has decided to become Iraq’s version of Benedict Arnold: The Mehdi Army of Moqtada Sadr is evolving into a clandestine movement following Iraqi military operations targeting the group, intelligence suggests.The military wing of the Sadrist Movement, the political party loyal to Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr, is “turning itself into a secret armed organization,” an Iraqi intelligence official told the Gulf News on condition of anonymity.Iraqi intelligence reports suggest the group’s numbers have dwindled from around 50,000 to as few as 150 in the past few years.Intelligence officials credit...
  • Sadrist movement withdraws from political process [Checkmate!]

    06/15/2008 12:10:10 PM PDT · by Tennessean4Bush · 35 replies · 150+ views
    The Long War Journal ^ | 6/15/2008 | Bill Roggio
    Muqtada al Sadr. Muqtada al Sadr has ordered the Sadrist political movement to boycott the upcoming provincial elections. Sadr's order comes one day after his order to disband the Mahdi Army as a fighting force and the creations of a small, armed wing to attack Coalition forces exclusively. Sadrist aides claim Sadr rejects the election process and fears being associated with the occupation. "Sayyid Muqtada does not believe in elections or in the coming provincial governments as long as the occupation forces are here," Salah al Obaidi, a senior aide to Sadr, told The Washington Post. "We don't want...
  • Al-Sadr calls for restraint from his militia (Loser knows he has lost)

    06/13/2008 8:49:40 AM PDT · by Mikey_1962 · 4 replies · 105+ views
    AP ^ | 6-13-08 | Mikey_1962
    Anti-U.S. cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has called for restraint in an apparent bid to exert control over his Mahdi Army militia fighters. A statement read after Friday prayers in the holy city of Kufa says the Shiite militia will continue to resist U.S.-led forces in Iraq but fighting should be limited to a select group. He says "weapons will be in the hands of this group exclusively and will only be directed at the occupier," using standard rhetoric for the American forces in Iraq. He warns those who disobey will be "disowned by me."
  • Democratic Primary Boosts U.S. Image Around the World [Barf Alert!]

    06/04/2008 6:40:21 PM PDT · by melt · 33 replies · 135+ views
    Washington Post ^ | 6/4/08 | Kevin Sullivan
    LONDON, June 4 -- For much of the world, Sen. Barack Obama's victory in the Democratic primaries was a moment to admire the United States, at a time when the nation's image abroad has been seriously damaged. From hundreds of supporters crowded around televisions in rural Kenya, Obama's ancestral homeland, to jubilant Britons writing "WE DID IT!" on the "Brits for Barack" site on Facebook, people celebrated what they called an important racial and generational milestone for the United States. "This is close to a miracle. I was certain that some things will not happen in my lifetime," said Sunila...
  • Covert Radio and the Long War Journal on Al Sadr, Iran's Nukes and Pakistan's Taliban Deals

    06/04/2008 4:11:31 PM PDT · by RadioCirca1970 · 3 replies · 120+ views
    I sat down for my weekly visit with Bill Roggio from Long War Jounral.Org. This episode features all the latest on the fight with the Mahdi Army in New Baghdad and Moqtada Al Sadr’s inability to rally the Arab Street to his side. We also discuss the increasing action between the Iraqi army and the Iranians who keep trying to bring the fight into Iraq. We also discuss the current situation Vis a Vis the Iranian nuclear program and whether diplomacy is an option. Finally we look at the fruits of bad diplomacy in the form of the Taliban and...
  • Lawmakers loyal to al-Sadr denounce Iraqi gov't ("black clouds" on the horizon for truces)

    05/24/2008 9:28:50 AM PDT · by NormsRevenge · 6 replies · 344+ views
    AP on Yahoo ^ | 5/24/08 | Hamid Ahmed - ap
    BAGHDAD - Lawmakers loyal to anti-U.S. cleric Muqtada al-Sadr accused the Iraqi government of trying to crush the movement and warned Saturday of "black clouds" on the horizon for truces that have eased fighting between al-Sadr's militia and security forces. The Sadrist Movement has heightened its rhetoric against the government in recent days, raising concerns over the cease-fires in the southern city of Basra and Baghdad's Sadr City district, the stronghold of al-Sadr's Mahdi Army militia. Still, the lawmakers and other al-Sadr officials said they are adhering to the truces. The cease-fires are crucial to Iraqi security forces' sweeps in...
  • Iraq - Iraqi forces enter Sadr's Baghdad bastion

    05/20/2008 2:23:36 AM PDT · by HAL9000 · 6 replies · 228+ views
    Reuters (excerpt) ^ | May 20, 2008
    Excerpt - BAGHDAD, May 20 (Reuters) - Iraq's army moved on Tuesday to take control of Baghdad's Sadr City, power base of Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, in another step to stamp government authority over areas previously outside its control. A spokesman for Iraqi security forces in Baghdad, Major-General Qassim Moussawi, said soldiers had launched "Operation Peace" in the sprawling eastern Baghdad slum early on Tuesday. Iraqi soldiers, who previously controlled only the outer perimeter of Sadr City, advanced deep into the poor suburb, home to 2 million people, without meeting any opposition, he said. "We are taking control of three-quarters...
  • Sadrist leader cannot confirm or deny Al Sadr held in Qom

    05/17/2008 9:10:31 PM PDT · by Ernest_at_the_Beach · 20 replies · 245+ views
    Asharq Alawsat ^ | 17/05/2008 | Maad Fayad
    London, Asharq Al-Awsat - In response to the claim that the Shia cleric Muqtada al Sadr is present in the Iranian city of Qom, Asmaa al Mousawi, leading member of the Al Sadr political bloc in Iraq, told Asharq Al-Awsat, “We can neither confirm nor deny this information and we cannot discuss the whereabouts of Sayyed Muqtada al Sadr for security reasons.” A reliable Iraqi source based in Qom told Asharq Al-Awsat Friday, “Al Sadr is held in a house affiliated to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. He is isolated from others; nobody is allowed to see him and he...
  • Brand New Covert Radio and the Long War Journal Look at Iraq!

    05/13/2008 1:27:21 PM PDT · by RadioCirca1970 · 1 replies · 76+ views
    Covert Radio Show and Long War Journal ^ | 05/13/2008 | Brett Winterble
    It is the latest issue of Covert Radio and the LongWar Journal.Org. Today Brett speaks with Bill Roggio and Bill Ardolino. Bill Roggio breaks down the latest from the front lines in the war on terror, including Al Qaeda terrorists who have moved from Iraq to Afghanistan. Then Bill and Brett are joined by Bill Ardolino who was embedded in Iraq until a few days ago. Bill Ardolino, brings us the latest stuff from the ground, including the growing anger among Iraqis at Iranian meddling, and the degree to which the US Military is taking out the Mahdi Fighters. Finally...
  • Special Podcast: Covert Radio and Long War Journal

    05/06/2008 1:55:43 PM PDT · by RadioCirca1970 · 7 replies · 109+ views
    Covert Radio Via the Long War Journal ^ | 05/06/2008 | Brett Winterble and Bill Roggio
    Brand News episode of Covert Radio is now available; Brett Winterble interviews Bill Roggio to talk about Iraq, Iran and the growing Shiite unease with Al Sadr's Mahdi Army. Bill also shares his insight on Khatami's recent comments about exporting revolution. Brett and Bill also talk about the recent over the horizon strikes into Somalia.
  • The Truth About Iraq's Casualty Count ( MAX BOOT )

    05/03/2008 6:06:18 AM PDT · by kellynla · 20 replies · 229+ views
    wsj.com ^ | May 3, 2008 | MAX BOOT
    The newspapers are predictably filled with articles about how 52 U.S. soldiers died in Iraq last month – the highest toll since September. Iraqi civilian casualties are also said to be at the highest level since August. These losses are being used to cast aspersions on claims of progress in Iraq. Even one death is too many and 52 deaths is tragedy multiplied 52-fold. But let's keep some perspective. As the icasualties.org website makes clear, for better or worse, April was still one of the lighter-casualty months during the long war in Iraq. More important, casualties cannot be looked at...
  • Can We Prevail If We've Lost Energy Savvy?

    05/02/2008 5:53:18 PM PDT · by Kaslin · 2 replies · 64+ views
    IBD ^ | May 2, 2008 | Victor Davis Hanson
    The gloomy election year refrain is that America is mired in Iraq, took its eye off Afghanistan, empowered Iran and is losing the war on terror. But how accurate is that pessimistic diagnosis? First, the good news. For all the talk of a recent Tet-like offensive in Basra, the Mahdi army of radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr suffered an ignominious setback when his gunmen were routed from their enclaves. This rout helped the constitutional — and Shiite-dominated — government of Prime Minister Nouri Kamal al-Maliki renew its authority and has encouraged Sunnis to re-enter government. Two great threats to Iraqi...
  • Iraqi police say gunmen kill local commander of anti-U.S. Shiite cleric ( In Basra )

    04/28/2008 10:08:58 AM PDT · by Ernest_at_the_Beach · 12 replies · 99+ views
    PR-inside.com. ^ | 2008-04-28 14:26:13 - | AP
    BAGHDAD (AP) - Iraqi police say gunmen have assassinated a local commander of anti-American Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr in the southern city of Basra. A police official says Ali Ghalib, a commander of al-Sadr's Mahdi Army in the Hakimiya neighborhood in central Basra, was gunned down by gunmen on a motorcycle as he was driving on Monday. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media. The assassination comes amid intensified clashes between al-Sadr's followers and the U.S.-backed Iraqi government.
  • Brand New Covert Radio: Interviews Bill Roggio on what is really going on in Basra and Mosul.

    04/25/2008 12:13:11 PM PDT · by RadioCirca1970 · 58+ views
    Brand New Episode of Covert Radio is now up and ready for you to download. This week, Brett talked to Bill Roggio from the Long War Journal. Bill just returned from Iraq a couple of weeks back and he has some great insight into Basra, Al Sadr, and the latest moves by Al Qaeda in Iraq in Mosul. Bill also shares his thoughts on the Northwest Province in Pakistan. You can download it directly from here. brettwinterble.libsyn.com or over at BrettWinterble.com
  • Sadr Crumbles As Basra Breathes Freedom

    04/25/2008 8:40:20 AM PDT · by Ernest_at_the_Beach · 34 replies · 92+ views
    Strata Sphere ^ | Friday, April 25th, 2008 at 7:19 am. | AJStrata
    When the Sadr-Maliki story first broke during the initial push into Basra I noted something was distinctly missing from the news about Maliki’s failed efforts and Sadr’s grand victory - there was no dancing in the streets in response to the news stories? There were no cheers for Sadr, no celebrations by the Iraqi people. If this was the Muslim Street rising up to throw off the occupiers from the West - where were the throngs of people taking to the streets? It struck me as very odd that the only spontaneous cheer to rise up from the initial operations...