Iraq's Sadr tells fighters to observe truce

[maddezmom]

Source: Reuters

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr pulled back from confrontation with the government on Friday, asking his followers to continue to observe a shaky ceasefire and not to battle government troops.

Sadr's, whose call for calm was read out in a major mosque in Baghdad, said his recent threat of "open war" was directed only at U.S. forces, not the Iraqi government.

His comments could ease some of the tension that has been boiling in Iraq since Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki cracked down on Sadr's Mehdi Army militia a month ago and threatened to ban his mass movement from provincial elections in October.

"You are the best who committed and were patient with the decision to cease fire, and were the most obedient to your leader. I wish you would continue your patience and your belief," said Sadr's statement, read by a cleric during Friday prayers in Sadr's eastern Baghdad stronghold of Sadr City.

"When we threatened 'open war' we meant a war against the occupier, not a war against our Iraqi brothers," it added.



Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080425/wl_nm/iraq_dc;_

[annabanana]

1. Was this before or after the most recent air stirkes in Sadr City?

It matters...

[ohio2007]

4. It only matters if his loyal followers even attend friday prayers in the mosque

well, some may hear the message over loudspeakers but shooting bullets at Iraqi patrols tends to call down the wrath of hell,fire and brimstone from above.

[Igel]

2. He sounds unhappy.

Victory's not always what it's cracked up to be, it seems.

[ohio2007]

3. his kingdom is under attack,he is on the defensive

seeing how his 'expedition' into Basra was put down by the Iraqi majority.

They had a few weeks of life under a theocracy.....
hmmmm

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=203_1209302042

Elections are comming up in a few months. Maybe the locals will vote in a Sadrist and bring back the good ole days ? ;)

[ohio2007]

5. Iraqi political leaders protest U.S. siege of Sadr City ( Iraqi military making serious gains ? 0

snip
The leaders promised to work together with Sadrists to remove insurgents and weapons in the area. But they also had six other demands of the government, including that it immediately
1,suspend military activity in the city,
2,supply basic services to residents and
3,prioritize peaceful solutions over military conflicts.
4,- ?
5,- ?
6,- ?


"Whatever point the crisis reaches we will keep our efforts to put an end to it," said Ahmed Radhi, a member of the Iraqi Accordance Front, the largest Sunni Muslim bloc. Radhi said the leaders formed a committee to meet with Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki to solve problems plaguing Sadr City.

"We have a delegation meeting with Maliki to let him know the real situation going on in the city," said Nassar al Rubaie, a Sadrist. "We have lawmakers from different blocs and parties to come and watch the situation on the ground."

Lawmakers representing the Iraqi National Accord, the Iraqi Front for National Dialogue and the Kurdish alliance also were present. The leaders said they were moved by pictures of civilian casualties as well as the health crisis plaguing residents in Sadr City.

The protest came just days after Sadr instructed his Mahdi Army militia to stop fighting the mostly Shiite Iraqi security forces in Sadr City and the southern port city of Basra. The U.S.-backed Iraqi forces have continually battled with insurgents in both areas since Maliki led a siege of Basra at the end of March.


snip
the U.S.-backed Iraqi forces in Sadr City are not only fighting Mahdi Army militiamen, said Lt. Col. Steve Stover, the U.S. military spokesman for Baghdad.

"I don't think it's all Muqtada al Sadr (followers) and I don't think everyone is listening to him," Stover said. Insurgents are "continuing to attack us now even since Sadr's last message."

Stover said that while the areas of Rashid and Karrada are fairly quiet, there has been some violence in Sadr City, particularly the southern part of the city. Security forces have provided food, water, medical supplies, generators and stoves to residents there, he said.

"You are going to see life get a lot better for Iraqis in the south part of Sadr City," he said.

Iraqi Brig. Gen. Qassim Atta echoed Stover's comments, saying security forces are focused on providing services for residents in Sadr City.

"There is no siege in Sadr City," Atta said during a press conference Sunday. "The movement is normal, except in areas where there are still military operations."


http://www.mcclatchydc.com/homepage/story/35066.html

Sunni and Kurd diplomats standing up for Shia ?
hmmmmmm

If the canidates want to reduce our forces in Iraq, they will see this as a sign of progress in that mission.
Problem is somebody isn't listening to al Sadrs message to stop killing Iraqi's or
they simply never took orders from al Sadr at all.

[ohio2007]

6. gunmen kill local commander of anti-U.S. Shiite cleric ( in Basra)

BAGHDAD: Iraqi police say gunmen have assassinated a local commander of anti-American Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr in the southern city of Basra.

A police official says Ali Ghalib, a commander of al-Sadr's Mahdi Army in the Hakimiya neighborhood in central Basra, was gunned down by gunmen on a motorcycle as he was driving on Monday.


snip

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/04/28/africa/ME-GEN-Iraq-Assassination.php

A drive by shooting of an Mahidi army commander in Basra.

An inside hit job or a fatwa fulfilled ?

dunno.