BBC: Iraqi leader warns Sadr movement

BBC ^ | Monday, 7 April 2008 16:41 UK | BBC Staff

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Iraqi leader warns Sadr movement

Shia Iraqis have marched in support of Moqtada Sadr

Iraq's prime minister has threatened to exclude the supporters of radical cleric Moqtada Sadr from politics.

Nouri Maliki told CNN that the cleric's movement would not be allowed to take part in elections unless it disbanded its militia, the Mehdi Army.

The prime minister and major Iraqi parties had already called for militias to be dissolved as the government waged a security campaign against the groups.

But it was the first time that Mr Maliki had singled out the Mehdi Army.

Aides to Moqtada Sadr on Monday said he would disband the militia if senior Shia religious leaders ordered him to do so.

They said a delegation would be sent to discuss the issue with the top Shia cleric in Iraq, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, and a grand ayatollah based in Iran.

Growing confrontation

In his interview, Mr Maliki said: "A decision was taken... that they no longer have a right to participate in the political process or take part in the upcoming elections unless they end the Mehdi Army.

"Solving the problem comes in no other way than dissolving the Mehdi Army."

	We have opened the door for confrontation, a real confrontation with these gangs Nouri Maliki, Iraqi prime minister

The provincial elections are scheduled for later this year.

Mr Maliki took power with the help of Moqtada Sadr, but broke with the cleric last year.

The BBC's Adam Brookes in Baghdad says the confrontation between the two men is growing.

Two weeks ago the prime minister sent thousands of troops into the city of Basra to try to force the Mehdi Army into submission.

The militia withdrew from the streets, but the operation was inconclusive.

Mr Maliki said the government would continue the crackdown. "We have opened the door for confrontation, a real confrontation with these gangs, and we will not stop until we are in full control of these areas," he said.

An MP for the Sadr bloc, Liqaa Aal Yassin, told the BBC Arabic service that two delegations would be sent - to Grand Ayatollah Sistani in Najaf and Grand Ayatollah Kazem al-Husseini al-Haeri in Iran - to discuss the possible disbanding of the Mehdi Army.

Ms Yassin said the government was also sending a delegation to Moqtada Sadr to discuss Mr Maliki's demand.

Mr Maliki's comments came after heavy fighting between US and Iraqi forces and the Mehdi Army at the weekend.

At least 22 people were killed and more than 50 others injured in clashes in the capital's eastern district of Sadr City, a stronghold of the militia.

Five US soldiers were killed, including three who died during rocket and mortar attacks in Baghdad.

Two of those died in attacks on the heavily-fortified Green Zone.

Moqtada Sadr has called for a mass demonstration on Wednesday against the US military presence.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

FR Thread:

Iraq: Sadr Party Faces Rising Isolation

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Guess I should ping you to the update at post # 39...although it is likely old news to you.

[Mr_Tiki]

I agree that banning any political party is not good. The problem is that the militias interfere with the elections, attack other candidates and their supporters, intimidate people and even force them to vote their way. I guess the solution would be for the state to be able to handle the militias and enforce order. But the state forces are still rather fragile. So they Iraqi politcians opted to try to deprive the militias from political cover. I am not sure if this would work either. Whichever way, I think that Sadr and his supporters would still be with us for a while, unfortunately.

[txhurl]

When a party takes up arms against its own government, it can either win (and notice Iran didn’t get behind Sadr enough for him to ‘win’) or be dissolved when it gets its bitch a$$ stomped.

[txhurl]

It’d be different if Sadr had taken his complaints to the Iraqi Parliament, instead of fleeing to Iran as a soon-to-be-deposed despot, to only return to rabble-rouse his rabble against Iraqi law and order.

I’m glad he pulled a Custer. The people see now that our influence is real and productive, where Iran’s is only a destructive impediment to their life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

I think this mirrors the technique that Syria and Iran are using in Lebanon....

[Owl558]

“As for your comments about the Lisbon Treaty you are being ridiculous. It has nothing to do with political parties being banned.”

I can only sheepishly concede my point due to my own silliness. I somehow blended 2 points on 2 different threads into one. I can’t seem to keep a coherent thought today. We shall debate another day!

[Marine_Uncle]

It is apparent at this point, or sure seems that way, that Maliki is obtaining a growing number of supporters from both the Sunni and Shia political groups, who all must be seeing just how poorly their country appears to the rest of the world.
No solid and long standing economic prosperity is going to take place if these militias and al Qaeda are permitted to operate in this country.
And with no big bucks pouring in over a sustained period of time that can add onto existing oil/gas, and perhaps eventual agricultural revenues trading with other countries, Iraq will not be able to rebuild all it's long term failed infrastructure to the degree required to show all their people a new beginning is upon their doorsteps.
Perhaps if the fat boy returns to Iraq eventually from his hidy hole in Iran, he must may yet be arrested. No sane person cannot understand he has acted against the government in criminal and seditious ways. He must be put on trial, given an fair trial, then either hanged or put behind bars for a long time.