Yes...we all know AQ or the Iranians could do that.
But...here comes the but, it will give the Iraq Government and their Army six months more time to solidify. I for one count that as a plus.
Besides...we all know how these guys work, they say they are winning until they are completely decimated. Right now I see no declaration of victories from any extremists. In fact, the extremists have already lost the major overall war in the ME because the moderates did not rise up with them in magnificent numbers.... in six years of an overt global terrorism campaign!
Would seem to be the Sadr army may have had it’s payroll cut. Iran won’t fund them if they’re not killing Americans, and they’re not just going to sit around waiting in reserve mode.
My real concern is that this is a rethinking of strategy. As a standalone entity they’ve become too visible and easy to hit. “Disband” for 6 months and join up with the Iraqi army, receive training, support and insight into the US-Iraqi plans, then strike from within.
I see this as jumping from a suicidal strategy of near frontal assault, with diminishing public support, into one that places them back into alignment with the Iraqi street. Staying irregular is no longer serving them well as Iraqi nationalism grows and fatique over civilian casualties at the hands of non-US attackers grows as well — only by transforming themselves into an army of regulars can they continue with their mission of “expelling the occupiers” while operating under the auspices of working for the “greater good” in Iraq. This right after Iran announcers that they are about to step into the “power vacuum” to propel Iraq forward from within. Just days ago the plan was announced and here it is.