Posted on 10/11/2006 1:10:04 PM PDT by jmc1969
While Moqtada al-Sadr has moderated his aggressiveness somewhat by virtue of his participation in parliament, many of his followers have not. According to coalition officials, sections of the Mahdi Army have splintered off and have formed freelance gangs that are engaged in sectarian revenge killings and criminal activity to finance their operations. Coalition officials have also hinted that these breakaway elements are receiving sponsorship and funding from Iran.
It has been especially difficult for al-Sadr to control his followers in Basra. Basra, a majority Shiite province, is flooded with various Shiite political parties with changing loyalties and compositions. Al-Sadr does not hold exclusive sway over Basra's Shiites. He has struggled to find proper leadership for his party in Basra, and he has even temporarily shut down his office in the city; however, local leaders tended to ignore him and act on their own accord.
One notorious rogue member of the Mahdi Army is a man known by his nom de guerre, Abu Dera, or "the Butcher." He is thought to be responsible for the killings of Sunnis around Baghdad.
Al-Sadr is still quite powerful and has become more so because of his political standing. He has, however, lost a degree of influence over some elements of the Mahdi Army who are frustrated with the pace of politics. This does not mean that the movement as a whole is splintering, but that some of his followers are emotionally and/or criminally motivated and engage in sectarian killings. Al-Sadr is looking to consolidate his rule and flush out those elements, and he may be looking to the very army who he once fought for assistance.
(Excerpt) Read more at jamestown.org ...
Why don't we just put a few dozen bullets in this a-wipe's head?
These idiots agree on one thing...kill anyone they don't approve of. Beyond that, they're all Keystone Kops.
Islamists - a strong case in favor of ethnic cleansing.
Semper Fi
Should have when he and his were trying to kill American soldiers a year or so ago.
But Noooooo, wouldn't want to have his folowers go ape sh-t now would we?
Put a bullet in his noggin and wrap his ass in fatty bacon
Fried bacon dittos to you. Nice touch.
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