Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr. Photograph: Wissam al-Okaili/AFP/Getty ImagesFrom The Guardian
Iraqi Militia Leader To Order Followers To Lay Down Their Arms
The leader of one of the most powerful militias in Iraq, Moqtada al-Sadr, is to order his followers to disarm and transform themselves into a purely social and political organisation, according to a new strategy document published yesterday.
Such a shift would mark a significant step forward for US and Iraqi government attempts to pacify Iraq.
Sadr's Mahdi army, committed to forcing US troops out of Iraq, has been behind much of the violence since the 2003 invasion. His forces have maintained a ceasefire since May.
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More News On Al Sadr
Moqtada Packs It In -- Wall Street Journal editorial
Mahdi Army to lay down arms -- Telegraph
Report: Sadr to disarm Mahdi Army -- Stars And Stripes
Al-Sadr Plans to Turn Militia Into Civic Organization -- FOX News
Sadr: Surrendering, or Playing Possum? -- Wired: The Danger Room
A Farewell to Arms -- Slate
Al-Sadr plans to turn militia into civic organisation -- NDTV (Ind
More News On Al Sadr
Moqtada Packs It In -- Wall Street Journal editorial
Mahdi Army to lay down arms -- Telegraph
Report: Sadr to disarm Mahdi Army -- Stars And Stripes
Al-Sadr Plans to Turn Militia Into Civic Organization -- FOX News
Sadr: Surrendering, or Playing Possum? -- Wired: The Danger Room
A Farewell to Arms -- Slate
Al-Sadr plans to turn militia into civic organisation -- NDTV (India)
Muqtada al-Sadr in Retreat -- Poli Gazette
My Comment: Moqtada al-Sadr is trying to do the best of a very bad situation. His only asset now is that is his father is still revered by many devout Shiite Iraqis. Moqtada al-Sadr is still young, and he is hopeful that with time his new "social-agency" will provide him the stepping stone to political power.