[bert]

.....that fighters from the cleric’s feared Mahdi Army militia were no longer deployed in the capital.....

Did the Brits leave Bashra because they feared Mookie? Are you giving them cover for leaving Mr Times

[tobyhill]

I think the Brits did leave Basra because they feared Mookie but IMHO I think Sadr is nothing but an Iranian Paper Tiger that has forced Iran to recreate a save facing measure.