Powerful Shia cleric says US troops are a target

Powerful Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr told his followers to target U.S. ground troops deploying in Iraq to help fight against the Islamic State.

While Al-Sadr has tolerated the allied bombing campaign, he has constantly warned about the presence of U.S. troops on the ground. The U.S. has been continually raising the number of troops on the ground in Iraq even though they are supposedly just in an advisory role. On Monday, U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter said 560 additional troops will be sent later this year to Iraq to help retake the city of Mosul from the Islamic State. The total U.S. troops in Iraq now will be 4,647, although troops just in Iraq for a short term apparently are not counted.

Al-Sadr was prominent after the 2003 occupation of Iraq. His Mahdi army — disbanded in 2008 and replaced by the Peace Brigades, who helped keep the Islamic State out of Baghdad — often battled with U.S. troops. The group is present in Baghdad and several other cities.

Sadr's main target so far has nothing to do with the U.S. and its troops but is against his own government. Sadr and others have been demanding reforms of the government and political system to root out corruption. Sadr's followers and supporters of reform have already twice breached the Green Zone, an ultra-secure area where the parliament and many embassies are. When the Zone was breached, the Iraqi parliament was the target, not the U.S. embassy.

Other Shi'ite militias have made similar pledges to target U.S. troops, but so far none have attacked them. If Sadr actually carries through on his threats, this could cause serious problems for the U.S. deployment in Iraq — the U.S. might find itself having to fight Shi'ite militias who are allies in the fight against IS. However, it seems Al Sadr's more immediate goal is to reform the Iraqi government. He wants to replace often corrupt cabinet ministers appointed by parties by technocrats. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has tried to implement reforms of the type Sadr recommends but political pressure has prevented him from doing so. The present parties benefit from the existing power-sharing system.

Just last Friday, Sadr supporters demonstrated at the entrance to the Green Zone but no attempt was made to breach the barrier. Security was tight and included representatives of the Peace Brigades.

Just today, Al-Abadi announced the resignation of six cabinet ministers. One was the Interior Minister who resigned after the recent blast in Baghdad on July 3 that killed almost 300 people. However, the oil minister also resigned, as did the minister of transport, housing, water resources and industry. Al-Abadi said he wanted to move away from the present power-sharing system. Perhaps with the resignation of the six ministers, Al-Abadi will be able to meet some of Al-Sadr's demands for reform.

Protesters break through Green Zone wall again in Baghdad

Iraqi security forces have opened fire on protesters who have broken into the heavily-fortified Green Zone in Baghdad. The thousands of protesters were angry at the government's inability to approve corruption reforms.

Many of the protesters were followers of Muqtada al-Sadr, who has been spearheading attempts to force the Iraqi government to approve a cabinet of technocrats and jettison the system of dividing jobs and positions among different parties and sectarian groups. Sadr did not specifically call for the demonstrations. There were other groups as well, equally angry with the situation. The security forces used not only tear gas but apparently live fire with dozens of people reportedly injured and one death that has not been confirmed as yet. The protesters were able to enter at least one government building. The Zone houses the Iraqi parliament, government buildings, and many foreign embassies, including the giant U.S. embassy. The protesters withdrew from the Zone to Tahrir square but according to witnesses an Interior Ministry Force and unidentified gunmen opened fire there. The Zone had been stormed earlier at the end of April. The protesters had entered parliament and other government buildings.

State television claimed the Baghdad Operations Command had imposed a curfew on Baghdad "until further notice" and warned that: "Riot police are dealing with anyone trying to damage state institutions in accordance with the law." Added to anger about corruption is anger about the lack of security in Baghdad as the capital has been the scene of many fatal suicide and other attacks by the Islamic State that are taking many lives as well as resulting in many wounded. This month already attacks have killed more than 150 people.

The protests have been ongoing since February when PM Haider al-Abadi tried to appoint a cabinet of independent technocrats as al-Sadr wants in order to do away with the present system of political patronage, but Sadr claims that many political groups are blocking Al-Abadi in order to protect their vested interest.

An article in the Middle East Eye says that Iraq has sunk to depths previously thought possible even though confronting the serious threat of the Islamic State:".. Iraqi politicians, with their corruption, nepotism, patronage networks and Mafia-like ways, still seem to think that politicking and jockeying over who has what ministry so that they may further their own economic interests is more important than attending to the crisis afflicting the country that they were installed – I mean “elected” – to serve. One is then left to wonder just how overblown the IS threat has become."

However the author, Tallha Abdulrazaq, a researcher at the University of Exeter's Strategy & Security Institute, has nothing but criticism for Sadr whom he accuses of some of the worst sectarian atrocities in Iraq and calls his Mahdi Army a terrorist organization. The Army fought often against the U.S. occupation forces when they were still present in Iraq. The author claims al-Sadr was until recently bent on destroying the Sunni population: The sad thing is that, in the past few months, terrorist leaders responsible for death squads that committed some of the worst sectarian atrocities in Iraq are now being painted as heroes of democracy and Iraqi social plurality. Of course, here we are discussing Moqtada al-Sadr, scion of the Sadr family of Shia clerics, leader of the Mahdi Army terrorist organisation and of their now rebranded Peace Brigades.

I have always understood al-Sadr as a nationalist who wants to ensure that Sunnis can be part of the federal government to ensure Iraq is not divided. But Abdulrazaq claims that al-Sadr is simply trying to gain more power. Although Abdulrazaq admits the corruption in Iraq he says nothing specifically about the plan to have a cabinet of technocrats. It is not clear how such a plan increases al-Sadr's power and as Abdularzaq notes some of al-Sadr's colleagues are criticizing him, surely because it would hurt their own power. While others may be using the crisis to help force the few remaining token Sunni's from power, this hardly seems to be al-Sadr's aim. The whole article seems slanted very much against Iran and is pro-Sunni. He blames much on the Americans:If the international community is serious about solving the Syrian crisis, they need to atone for the original sin that is Iraq, and how it was handed over to sectarian fanatics covered in the shroud of a false democracy.He does not say exactly how the international community can atone for its sins but obviously it is not by having a cabinet of technocrats as al-Sadr suggests, I presume.

While it is true that al-Sadr has sometimes opposed Sunnis, that is only part of the picture:On 25 April 2007 al-Sadr condemned the construction of Azamiyah wall around a Sunni neighbourhood in Baghdad, by calling for demonstrations against the plan as a sign of "the evil will" of American "occupiers" On 25 May 2007 al-Sadr delivered a sermon to an estimated 6,000 followers in Kufa. Sadr reiterated his condemnation of the United States' occupation of Iraq and demanded the withdrawal of foreign forces, al-Sadr's speech also contained calls for unity between Sunni and Shi'a.[31] In June 2007, al-Sadr vowed to go ahead with a planned march to the devastated Askariyya shrine in central Iraq, al-Sadr said the march was aimed at bringing Shi'is and Sunnis closer together and breaking down the barriers imposed by the Americans and Sunni religious extremists.These actions show that al-Sadr was trying to break down barriers between Sunni and Shia not taking advantage of them for his own purposes.

Islamic State blows up gas plant in Iraq

Islamic State (IS) militants launched a deadly attack on a natural gas plant in a factory complex at Taji about 20 kilometers north of Baghdad.

The plant is quite close to a military base where New Zealand and Australian forces are located. Up to 143 New Zealand personnel have been sent to Iraq. The group is part of a two-year non-combat mission. It works together with Australian Defence Force troops to train the Iraqi military and security forces. New Zealand Prime Minister John Key had visited the base in 2015. He said at the time that troops are not allowed outside the base, which has heavy security.

The IS fighters blew up suicide car bombs outside the gate to the factory complex and then at least six wearing explosive suicide vests moved inside the complex. They then blew themselves up, causing huge explosions. At least 14 people were killed, also causing extensive economic damage. Twenty-seven troops were reported wounded in the attack. An IS-affiliated news agency said that a group of "Caliphate soldiers carried out the attack. The plant provides fuel for power plants and also cooking gas for many in Baghdad. The IS has been launching a number of car bomb attacks in and around Baghdad among other places. The attack was just one of several attacks that happened on Sunday killing 29 people. Another source puts the number killed on Sunday at 71 with 88 wounded.

The Shi’ite-led government of PM Haider al-Abadi is shutting down or curtailing media outlets popular with Sunni Iraqis. The reasoning is that the outlets could inflame sectarian feelings and result in bloodshed. Among the targets of the campaign were the local office of al-Jazeera and TV channel al-Baghdadia. The Islamic State has lost a considerable amount of territory it used to control in Iraq but still controls large areas of the north and west including the major city of Mosul.

PM al-Abadi is facing a political crisis as he has so far unsuccessfully tried to meet the demands of protesters for reform. He has been unable to convince the parliament to accept a list of technocrats as a cabinet. Many in the parliament want to retain the corrupt system giving parties and sectarian groups key positions in order to support the government. The protesters are led by Muqtada al-Sadr and not long ago they broke into the Green Zone and stormed the parliament. Al-Abadi claimed that the political dispute helped militants:"The political conflict among politicians and their impact on the brave security forces permits acts of terrorism to occur." He dismissed the idea that rival political parties were behind the violence and blamed it squarely on the Islamic State.

Iraqi PM fires head of Green Zone forces and tightens security

Iraq's prime minister Haider Al-Abadi has fired the commander of special forces in Baghdad's Green Zone after protesters were able to breach the concrete walls recently and enter the parliament buildings.

The move by PM Al-Abadi is a sign that Al-Abadi is taking a harder line against protesters as he tightens security. He vowed to prevent another breach of the Green Zone.

Al-Abadi replaced Lieutenant-General Mohammed Ridha with Major General Kareem al-Tamimi, according to sources. Ridha had been seen on videos kissing the hands of leader of the protests Muqtada Al-Sadr when he entered the Green Zone for a sit-in in March. The protesters are demanding that Al-Abadi establish a reform government of technocrats to stem the tide of corruption engaged in by Iraqi political parties. Al-Abadi has been unable to meet protesters' demands so far because of resistance from politicians who profit from the existing system.

Taif Jany, Program Manager at Education for Peace in Iraq Center told Al Aribiya: “The fortifications reinforce a literal barrier between Parliament and the people. Not only is the government's business conducted without our input, but we are also cut off by razor wire, guards, and enormous concrete fences...The Green Zone contains the homes of Members of Parliament and high-ranking officials and this represents a significant class difference which begs the question: how can you represent us if you don't live among us?"

Protests are expected again today and the protesters could attempt to enter the Green Zone. Al-Abadi called on all who want reforms to respect the law. Iraqi security forces have blocked major roads and bridges in an attempt to keep followers of Moqtada al-Sadr from reaching the area around the Green Zone. A Sadr representative asked supporters to rally outside mosques after Friday afternoon prayers rather than at the heavily fortified Green Zone in order to avoid clashes. Three regiments of an elite police division that had been battling Islamic State militants has now been deployed to protect the Green Zone. On one bridge over the Tigris River dozens of counter-terrorism forces manned Humvees mounted with machine guns. They were behind two blast walls 12 feet high. The head of Sadr's political office claimed that large-scale demonstrations were being put off until next Tuesday when a parliamentary session was planned. According to CBC News correspondent, Charlie D'Agata, security forces had worked overnight to erect the blast walls on the bridge leading into the Green Zone.

Muqtada al-Sadr, Shia leader, supports Sunni protests against PM al-Maliki in Iraq

The popular Shiite Iraqi leader, Muqtada al-Sadr has thrown his support behind Sunni protesters against Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

Al-Sadr said that Maliki must bear full responsibility for the unrest in Iraq. Maliki has made a number of moves to centralise power. His actions have enraged many Sunnis and also officials in the Kurdish autonomous area in northern Iraq. Iraq's vice president, Tariq al-Hashimi, a prominent Sunni politician was charged with various offenses including running death squads, convicted of murder in September, and sentenced to death in absentia. Al-Hashimi took refuge in Turkey. Sunnis say that Maliki is constantly sidelining them. During the rule of Saddam Hussein, Sunnis were dominant in the government. More recently Maliki raided the office and home of the Iraqi finance minister, Rafie al-Issawi, another prominent Sunni politician. Issawi claims that 150 of his guards and employees were arrested in the raids. These actions have sparked huge protests by Sunnis in which they have blocked off main routes to Jordan and Syria from Baghdad. No doubt al-Sadr's move has been in part calculated to improve prospects for his party and himself in upcoming elections. Al-Sadr spoke in Najaf, one of the holiest cities of the Shiite sect. In spite of many of his own followers being persecuted by Sunnis during Hussein's reign and his close connections with Iran, Al-Sadr is an Iraqi nationalist who fears the expanding conflict between Sunnis and Shia sects. Maliki's actions fuel this division. While Al-Sadr has always been fiercely anti-American, at the same time, he has always tried to foster unity among Iraqis. Al-Sadr tried to set the Sunni protests in a wider context saying:

“The Iraqi spring is coming. We are with the demonstrators, and Parliament must be with them, not against them,” he said. “The legitimate demands of the demonstrators, by which people know what they want, should be met.”

Al Sadr even expressed his willingness to go to Anbar, the Sunni-dominated province, to join in demonstrations. Maliki warned protesters that he might lose patience with the demonstrations:

"I say to those who follow these agendas: Don't think it's difficult for the government to take measures against you or to re-open the road and put an end to this matter. We have been very patient with you, but don't expect this issue to be open-ended."

Violence has increased in Iraq in 2012 and Al Qaeda appears to be making a come-back. Iraq Body Count put the civilian death toll in 2012 at 4,471 and this does not include the final two weeks of the year. Last year the toll was 4,136.

US troops raid Sadr Office

This is liable to cause trouble. It does not sound as if there were any provocation from Sadr's supporters inside. Note that the report mentions only US troops. This may have been done without any co-ordination or authorisation from the Iraqi govt. Not only is the US causing problems for Maliki it will cause difficulties for itself. Perhaps it want's a confrontation in Sadr City to show who is supposed to be boss but that could be a grave error. It would only show who was boss in the short term. This report is from a Kuwaiti news source.


US forces storms Sadr''s office, arrest those inside

Military and Secuity 4/29/2007 8:46:00 PM



BAGHDAD, April 29 (KUNA) -- Armed clashes broke out in Kadhmiya district in northern Baghdad Sunday after an American force stormed Shiitte cleric Muqtada Al-Sadr's office and arrested some of the people inside.
A source at the Iraqi police told KUNA US forces exchanged fire shots with the guards of Al-Sadr's office. He said the guards resisted the American troops.
American army vehicles surrounded the office and the forces started shooting at it then stormed it and arrested the people inside, said the source.
Locals at Khadmiya and eyewitnesses said the exchange of fire lasted for some an hour.
They reported that warnings, through loud speakers of mosques, to the citizens that the American forces were surrounding Al-Sadr's office. (end) mhg.bs KUNA 292046 Apr 07NNNN

Basra violence threatens oil in South of Iraq

This intra-Shiite violence is adding another dimension to the conflict. Sadr is probably right on the corruption issue.


Basra violence threatens Iraq's oil
Posted : Tue, 17 Apr 2007 18:43:00GMT
Author : Energy News Editor
Category : Energy (Environment)




BASRA, Iraq, April 17 Political and sectarian fighting in Iraq's oil capital, Basra, intensifies, threatening most of Iraq's oil production and all its oil exports.

Basra is majority Shiite and, as the central city of the vast majority of Iraq's oil reserves and the largest port where nearly all its oil exports are sent from, equally as important to Iraq as Baghdad. Iraq has 115 billion barrels of proven reserves, and production is struggling at around 2 million barrels per day. Oil sales make up 93 percent of Iraq's budget.

The local government is controlled by the Fadhila Party. Its biggest competitor is the alliance led by Moqtada Sadr. The two sides launched bitter and violent battles against each other over the past weeks.

On Monday a large demonstration was held in Basra demanding Muhammad Masbah al Waili, the Fadhila Party governor of Basra province, resign. Sadr and his Mahdi Army deny involvement in the rally and subsequent campaign for Waili to step down.

Regardless, it "marks a new escalation in intra-Shiite tensions, which will expose government institutions and energy infrastructures in the southern provinces to serious security risks," Rochdi Younsi, analyst for Middle East and Africa for the business risk firm Eurasia Group, wrote in a new report. Sadr says Waili and the Fadhila Party in Basra are corrupt, including involvement in oil smuggling that has cost the Iraqi government billions of dollars in oil revenues and worsened the fuel shortage in the country. Local tribal leaders also back that accusation, Younsi wrote. Fadhila accuses Sadr of planning a violent regional coup, including taking control of the Southern Oil Company.

"Local oil infrastructures could be exposed to a higher security risk as the Shiite community in the south becomes more fragmented," Younsi wrote.

Copyright 2007 by UPI

Muqtada Sadr's office bombarded

Muqtada Sadr office bombarded

Sadr was prescient about what the surge would do in Sadr city. He is safely in Tehran until the surge subsides.


POL-IRAQ-SADR-OFFICE
Muqtada Sadr office bombarded

BAGHDAD, Feb 20 (KUNA) -- A joint force of the Iraqi Army and US troops Tuesday bombarded the office of Shiite leader Muqtada Al-Sadr in Al-Shula area, west of Baghdad, a security source told KUNA.

The source said some 14 military vehicles are now surrounding the office and Iraqi and US soldiers could be seen confiscating material and documents.

Muqtada Al-Sadr himself is out of the country over fears for his safety.