A rare picture of the one man who made "the surge" work

[NightWatcher]

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gkx-3oYeFwuWKCusr2jrojs98w8wD8UVQM0G0

BAGHDAD (AP) — Powerful Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr opted Friday to keep the cease-fire order for his Mahdi Army militia in place for another six months, a step that will hold down U.S. and Iraqi casualties while bolstering al-Sadr's importance as a political player as Iraqi factions jostle for power.

Opening a sealed statement from the firebrand leader, scores of Shiite clerics around the country read al-Sadr's message at Friday prayer services. In al-Sadr's Baghdad stronghold of Sadr City, thousands of men sat and listened attentively to the statement as green and black banners — symbols of his movement — waved in a brisk wind.

"According to an order by Sayyid Muqtada, activities of the Mahdi Army will be suspended ... for another six-month period," al-Sadr aide Hazim al-Aaraji said at the Kazimiyah mosque in Baghdad, using an honorific for the cleric.

Al-Sadr offered "thanks and appreciation" to his followers and appreciation for "your understanding and your patience." The freeze was extended until the 15th of Shaban, a reference to the Islamic month before Ramadan, which would mean mid-August.
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How sad is it that the "surge" has only seen a decrease in US deaths because a major player has decided to not attack us so that he can vye for political power in the country.

June 101
July 78
Aug 84
Sept 65
Oct 38
Nov 37
Dec 23
Jan 40
Feb 26 (conf)

Look back six months and see who really has made the difference. How sad is it that I was praying for him to extend the ceasefire because of the large number of troops from my area that are still in theatre? Notice I was not praying for a smart move on bush's part, but that of the "savage enemy".

[MzNov]

1. I wonder what the cost of his "extension" will be to US taxpayers.

...how many millions of dollars we are paying al-Sadr and his band of merry men.

and boy does this guy need a dentist, in a hurry!

[Buzz Clik]

3. If he's getting paid for this, it's worth every dime.

[sam sarrha]

4. i read somewhere each soldier was getting paid, and Sadar killed anyone who defied him, >Link>> to $

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/01/23/us-war-costs-increased-si_n_82949.html

this is a general indication, cant find the article

[Buzz Clik]

5. Ok. So, the surge eventually works because this guy gave us some space.

And he got paid. We leave. He eventually gets more power.

Win. Win.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

2. Hmmm, August.

:think: