Sadr losing his grip?

[coorslite21]

 

 

Baghdad (AFP) - Security forces shot live rounds to clear protest hotspots in Baghdad and southern Iraq for a second day Sunday, sparking skirmishes with demonstrators determined to keep up their movement.

 

The anti-government protesters had feared their campaign would be squashed when riot police Saturday moved in on their tent camps in the capital, the southern port city of Basra, the holy city of Najaf and other cities.

 

But the demonstrators returned in large numbers in the evening and on Sunday morning, with security forces trying to clear them out again.

 

But the demonstrators returned in large numbers in the evening and on Sunday morning, with security forces trying to clear them out again.

In the capital, they used live rounds in an attempt to disperse small anti-government rallies in Khallani and Wathba squares, near the main protest camp of Tahrir Square, according to a police source.

 

At least 17 protesters were wounded, including six with bullet wounds, the source said.

 

The young demonstrators have mostly thrown rocks at riot police but some have tossed Molotov cocktails.

In Nasiriyah to the south, security forces also fired live rounds but there was no immediate word on casualties.

 

Protesters had gathered there in large numbers after police reopened main thoroughfares in Nasiriyah leading to the central protest camp in Habbubi Square.

 

The youth-dominated protests erupted in Baghdad and the Shiite-majority south on October 1 in outrage over lack of jobs, poor services and rampant corruption.

 

Met with violence, they quickly spiralled into calls for a total government overhaul.

Rallies are now specifically demanding snap elections, the appointment of an independent premier and the prosecution of anyone implicated in corruption or the recent bloodshed.

 

But activists worry they could face a wider crackdown after firebrand cleric Moqtada Sadr dropped his support for the movement on Friday.

 

The notoriously fickle militia leader-turned-politician backed the protests when they first started and even called on the government to resign.

 

His supporters had widely been recognised as the most organised and well-stocked protesters in Tahrir.

 

But after holding an anti-US rally in Baghdad that was attended by thousands, Sadr said he no longer wanted to be involved in the regime change movement.

 

Within hours, his supporters were dismantling their tents in protest camps across the country and riot police began moving in on demonstrations.

But activists issued an urgent call for help, and young demonstrators flooded Tahrir and other areas.

[jeepguy]

Sadr losing his grip?

 

I don`t think he is losing grip , but I do think he also sees "  an open wallet " filled with cash ...

when the protest moved toward anti u.s.  ------- >  sadr felt his bank account getting  tight all of a sudden !  

( also could be from Iranian back anti u.s. militia ,   could be both instances )

 

[screwball]

Yep..Sadr is shitting himself...he knows he’s next...

[WheresmyRV?]

The next election his party doesn't stand a chance of getting picked again.  Its great that the citizens are finally waking up to that demon.

[ronscarpa]

Sadr losing his grip? By coorslite21

Thanks Coorslite21...good article..Thanks everyone for your comments...! RON

 

[Gunnytex]

Shite..eee...Sadrmites.

[Donziman]

Well fellow DVers this looks like the end of the road. With Iran and it's militias

firing rockets into our embassy tonight and Sadr switching sides and betraying 

the people in the street to join with the iranians (sadr political block is the biggest)

there is no stability for anyone to bring in investment money. The value of our dinar

will most probably go down not up.  jmho. Lv you guys....

[Shedagal]

When things seem at their worst . . .

[Ziggy]

Or....just maybe, this could be the start of a huge house cleaning....Names and faces have been getting checked off left and right. There are still some more names to be checked off for sure. Once that is completed, Iraq will have a huge opportunity that awaits for them to capitalize on. Things are in motion, and we all know that Iraq is slower than a tortoise 🐢, but the USA isn’t. There should be some really interesting news that is revealed this upcoming week. The Middle East is changing right before our eyes. And just like it is stateside; ALOT of things go on behind the scenes. 

[3n1]

1 minute ago, Ziggy said:

The Middle East is changing right before our eyes.

 

thanks ziggy waiting for the iqd to change before my eyes as well,  and fast ........ cheers dv'ers

[Calijim]

I think all the recent events are finally revealing  the truth about who Guys like Sadr and other politicians really are and what side their on.

[ChuckFinley]

8 hours ago, Shedagal said:

When things seem at their worst . . .

People better remember that line followed by SUDDENLY. 

 

Thanks Shedagal.

[screwball]

8 hours ago, 3n1 said:

 

thanks ziggy waiting for the iqd to change before my eyes as well,  and fast ........ cheers dv'ers

Yep I am ready and waiting 

[Gunnytex]

Nothing.   Nothing.   Nothing. 

.........Something ...