<p>From the AP today:</p>
<p>
Al-Sadr’s statement, read to his followers in Sadr City, is likely to add pressure on U.S. and Iraqi forces to show results in the nearly two-week-old crackdown.</p>
<p>“I’m certain, just like all oppressed Iraqis are certain, that no security plan will work and no good will come of any occupier,” al-Sadr said in the statement. “Here we are, watching booby trapped cars exploding to harvest thousands of innocent lives from our beloved people in the middle of a security plan that is controlled by an occupier who does as he pleases.”
</p>
mini
February 25, 2007, 7:46pm
2
<p>And then when it doesn’t work, the occupiers will blame the Iraqis.</p>
<p>
Al-Sadr is one of the most vocal critics of the U.S. occupation of Iraq. The leader of the Sadriyun Movement [Sadriun Movement], he insists US troops should leave the country immediately and that Iraqis be given an opportunity to create an Islamic state if they choose.</p>
<p>On 05 August 2004 Moqtada al-Sadr called on his followers in Iraq to rise up and fight US troops.
<a href=“http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iraq/al-sadr.htm[/url] ”>http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iraq/al-sadr.htm</a> ;
Radical Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr has been a turbulent presence in Iraq since the fall of Saddam Hussein despite his followers’ involvement in the new, elected government. </p>
<p>At times he has called for a national rebellion against foreign troops and sent out his militiamen to confront the “invaders” and Iraqi police.
<a href=“http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3131330.stm[/url] ”>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3131330.stm</a></p> ;
<p>Did you think he was going to support the new security plan?</p>
mini
February 25, 2007, 8:11pm
4
<p>Actually, yes. He has the most to gain, as he will control several cities, and the largest population of Baghdad when the hostile, aggressive occupiers leave. It’s why he has told his folks to lay low.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>He’s using it to his advantage. Malaki is protecting him by preventing the US forces from going into Sadr City. Meanwhile, al-Sadr has identified a couple of his militia leaders he’d like to get rid of. Malaki has done his dirty-work for him.</p>