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Sadr Capitulates?
Captain's Quarters ^ | October 06, 2007 | Ed Morrissey

Posted on 10/06/2007 6:10:56 PM PDT by jdm

Moqtada al-Sadr has signed an agreement with his Shi'ite rivals in southern Iraq to end all hostilities between them. The Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council, which recently signed a peace agreement with the central government and the Kurds, has now managed to put Sadr into its coalition, ending years of conflict between the Mahdi Army and the Badr Brigades:

Two of Iraq's most influential Shia leaders have signed a deal to try to end violence between their groups.

Radical cleric Moqtada Sadr and Abdul Aziz al-Hakim, head of the Supreme Islamic Council of Iraq, have been locked in a bitter dispute for months.

The leaders have agreed to try to end further bloodshed, foster a spirit of good will and form joint committees throughout the country.

The SIIC stated that the various factions of Iraq had to find ways to come together to "enhance and preserve Iraqi unity." Sadr's spokesman said that the pact would become a "commitment of honor." Both sides want to find ways to end the squabbling that has existed between the groups since liberation, but which have recently created a rising amount of violence.

Sadr appears to have capitulated to the SIIC in this instance. Over the summer, his Mahdi Army started a gunfight with the Badr Brigades during a Shi'ite holiday and pilgrimage, killing dozens. Shortly afterwards, Hakim outmaneuvered Sadr with an alliance between the SIIC, Nouri al-Maliki, and the Kurds. The alliance strengthened Maliki after Sadr withdrew his deputies from Maliki's ruling coalition, leaving Sadr more isolated than ever before, even among Shi'ites.

Sadr is a survivor, as we have learned over the last four years. He knows when to hold 'em, and he knows when to fold 'em. It looks like he's made another pragmatic calculation, but even Sadr can't hide the fact that he's taking his faction ever backwards. At one time, he played kingmaker to Maliki. Now he has to fight for scraps from Hakim's table and only has indirect influence over the government. Surviving may be a form of success, but Sadr could have played his hand so much more effectively -- and it won't be long before his underlings start to realize it, if they haven't already.


TOPICS: Editorial; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: alsadr; capitulates; histeetharerotted; mookie; myturbanisderty; sadr; stinkyfeet; wegotbargains
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1 posted on 10/06/2007 6:11:03 PM PDT by jdm
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To: jdm

Just reloading.


2 posted on 10/06/2007 6:12:41 PM PDT by doc1019 (Fred Thompson '08)
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To: jdm
If this is true and takes hold, the Iraq Government will take solid roots, take over security, and all Coalition Troops could, just could, be home before Labor Day ‘08.
3 posted on 10/06/2007 6:16:33 PM PDT by SandRat (Duty, Honor, Country. What else needs to be said?)
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To: jdm
Surviving may be a form of success, but Sadr could have played his hand so much more effectively -- and it won't be long before his underlings start to realize it, if they haven't already.

We will see. At least I didn't see him referred to as the "firebrand cleric." That was a pleasant change. But this guy is fat, ugly, and pure evil. We shall see.

4 posted on 10/06/2007 6:17:39 PM PDT by Bahbah
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To: jdm
I can’t get over feeling we should have taken Mookie out a long time ago . Like before we got there .
5 posted on 10/06/2007 6:18:57 PM PDT by kbennkc (For those who have fought for it , freedom has a flavor the protected will never know. F Troop)
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To: jdm
So, a month ago, the Sunnis have joined the government and began fighting al-Qaeda.

And, now, Mookie has joined the party and laid down his arms.

Where's this "civil war" that the MSM has been promoting...???

6 posted on 10/06/2007 6:20:07 PM PDT by okie01 (The Mainstream Media: IGNORANCE ON PARADE)
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To: kbennkc
I can’t get over feeling we should have taken Mookie out a long time ago . Like before we got there .

He didn't return to Iraq until 2004.

7 posted on 10/06/2007 6:22:41 PM PDT by armymarinemom (My sons freed Iraqi and Afghan Honor Roll students.)
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To: jdm

When an Arab signs an agreement...it truly stops them...it’s one thing to say a thing [cause in that part of the world lying is a way of life] but a whole nother thing when they sign on the dotted line.


8 posted on 10/06/2007 6:23:22 PM PDT by shield (A wise man's heart is at his RIGHT hand;but a fool's heart at his LEFT. Ecc 10:2)
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To: SandRat

ROP members don’t “capitulate”; they drop back ten and punt, so to speak. He wants to be the next leader of Iraq; he obviously has something up his sleeve, just needs a little breathing room. Wouldn’t trust him with your camel.


9 posted on 10/06/2007 6:23:22 PM PDT by doc1019 (Fred Thompson '08)
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To: jdm

Just remember this isn’t a success if the MSM refuses to acknowledge it.

Good news is no news.


10 posted on 10/06/2007 6:24:10 PM PDT by sinanju
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To: doc1019

Yeah, wasn’t he made a government minister last time he “made peace?”


11 posted on 10/06/2007 6:24:25 PM PDT by gondramB (Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words.)
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To: kbennkc

Correction 2003 after Iraq fell.


12 posted on 10/06/2007 6:25:14 PM PDT by armymarinemom (My sons freed Iraqi and Afghan Honor Roll students.)
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To: jdm

I don’t know what the agreement was written on, but toilet paper is worth more.


13 posted on 10/06/2007 6:26:30 PM PDT by Lorianne
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To: shield

Is it the same if they are really a Persian ? What about agreements with infidels , or if the writing was composed in the infidel written language ?


14 posted on 10/06/2007 6:28:46 PM PDT by kbennkc (For those who have fought for it , freedom has a flavor the protected will never know. F Troop)
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To: shield

Until the advantage comes back their way. There is not one signed agreement in the history of Islam that they have ever kept. If it is advantages to “allah”, they will break a treaty, signed agreement or oath with, apparently, full approval of their moon god.


15 posted on 10/06/2007 6:29:10 PM PDT by doc1019 (Fred Thompson '08)
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To: jdm

i think he’s been promoted to start the iraqi hezbollah franchise ... he’ll be back with murder on his mind, i think


16 posted on 10/06/2007 6:29:33 PM PDT by InvisibleChurch (Tempus Fidget - The time between the final hymn and recessional.)
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To: armymarinemom; kbennkc
Sad thing is we captured him once or twice officially and turned him over to the Iraqi’s - they let him go. I also have it on very good authority that twice Marine snipers had his fat a$$ in the hairs and were denied permission to shoot - by guess who - Navy JAG.
17 posted on 10/06/2007 6:34:14 PM PDT by mad_as_he$$ (in the halls of Valhalla...)
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To: mad_as_he$$
Sad thing is we captured him once or twice officially and turned him over to the Iraqi’s - they let him go. I also have it on very good authority that twice Marine snipers had his fat a$$ in the hairs and were denied permission to shoot - by guess who - Navy JAG.

The capture and releases have been driving me nuts for a while now. This is the first I have heard about JAG getting in the way but these days that doesn't surprise me a bit.

18 posted on 10/06/2007 6:36:24 PM PDT by armymarinemom (My sons freed Iraqi and Afghan Honor Roll students.)
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To: mad_as_he$$

That is my info also , and previous snafus involving spooks being given limited rules of engagement , all to the disadvantage of our guys .


19 posted on 10/06/2007 6:39:33 PM PDT by kbennkc (For those who have fought for it , freedom has a flavor the protected will never know. F Troop)
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To: SandRat

We will and should be present in Iraq as long as we have been present in Germany, Japan and South Korea, if peace and properity for the region are our goals.


20 posted on 10/06/2007 6:40:33 PM PDT by elpadre
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