Al-Sadr's Hezbollah designs for Iraq

[k98nights]

Al-Sadr's Hezbollah designs for Iraq

19/01/2011By Ma'ad Fayad

London, Asharq Al-Awsat- A Iraqi political source in the city of Al-Najaf has stated that Al-Sadr movement's Leader Muqtada al-Sadr "is preparing to be Iraq's Hasan Nasrallah and play a major influential role" and warned that "partisan struggles for the political leadership of Iraq's Shiites will take place in Al-Najaf, Karbala, and other central Euphrates and southern cities."

The source which spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat on the condition of anonymity by telephone from Al-Najaf said that "the leader of Al-Sadr movement is holding in his family's home in Al-Hananah quarter, intensive meetings with leaders of his movement in an effort to put their affairs in order and resolve some conflicts and struggles inside it, especially between those wearing turbans and those not wearing them (Mullahs and non-mullahs). The first are asserting that they are the ones who protected the Trend and its permanence while the others believe they were the ones credited with making the Trend a political movement."

The source went on to say that discussions during the meeting also focused on the removal of some the traditional leaders whom Al-Sadr believes are undisciplined or not in tune with the times, especially as some symbols of the movement have yet to appear in Al-Najaf since Al-Sadr's return.

The political source went on to say: "Al-Sadr returned to Iraq arrogant with power after having left Al-Najaf in secret for fear of being arrested by American forces. But his movment today has 40 seats in the Iraqi House of Representatives and seven ministers in the government. This hastened his return to play an influential political role that is to a large extent similar to the role of Hasan Nasrallah, leader of Hezbollah in Lebanon, according to what those close to Al-Sadr are asserting."

The source pointed out that "the attention the Iraqi political leaders are paying Al-Sadr is giving him stronger impetus" and referred to "the visit by President Jalal Talabani, leader of the Democratic Union of Kurdistan, to Al-Sadr in his house in Al-Najaf and the telephone contact Dr. Iyad Allawi, the former Iraqi prime minister and Al-Iraqiya List leader, had with him the day before yesterday."

The source noted that, "leaders of the traditional Shiite parties are not happy with Al-Sadr's return to Al-Najaf, the capital of Shiite influence." It added that "hot political struggles between the Shiite parties for control of the Shiite influence are going to surface through events, especially between Al-Sadr Trend and Al-Dawa Party, which is led by Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, on one hand and between the Trend and the Islamic Supreme Council [iISC] which is led by Ammar al-Hakim on the other hand." It warned that "the struggle between Al-Sadr Trend and the IISC is going to be more public due to the historic struggle for control of Al-Najaf between Al-Sadr and Al-Hakim's families."

The source believes that "Muqtada al-Sadr will not forget his traditional enemies easily or the battles the current Prime Minster Nuri Al-Maliki led against his Trend in which many of his supporters were killed or arrested. Hence, the struggle between Al-Sadr and Al-Maliki will not be confined only to the partisan one between Al-Sadr Trend and Al-Dawa Party but personal aspects and settlement of accounts might be involved which will weaken both sides, particularly as Al-Dawa Party considers itself as having greater Shiite influence in Iraq and does not accept anything less than that. This Shiite party even sees itself as the only political representative of Iraq's Shiites following the reduced influence of IISC in the recent legislative elections and its failure to obtain important ministries in Al-Maliki's second government." The source does not rule out the possibility of "Al-Sadr starting his battle with Al-Maliki by criticizing the government's performance and through his ministers and parliamentary deputies so as to weaken the prime minister's position without triumphing over him" and pointed out that the "coming months will see noticeable tensions between the Shiite parties' leaders and the people of Al-Najaf are fearful of Al-Sadr Trend's calm before the storm."

However, Baha al-Aaraji, the leader in the Trend who is close to Muqtada, has said "Iraq is not Lebanon. What applies there cannot be applied here. In his speeches and statements, Muqtada al-Sadr stresses the need to stay away from weapons and demands that any issue should be resolved politically." He pointed out that the Trend leader "is expecting the government to provide the services to the Iraqi people and to get the American occupation forces out. He will back the government and give it the chance even though he had said it was weak. We will comment if his demands, which are for the Iraqis, are not fulfilled." He told Asharq Al-Awsat "there is a roadmap that is not yet clear and things will become clearer after "fortieth" celebration which marks the anniversary of the martyrdom of Imam Al-Hussein, when large meetings will be held."

http://www.aawsat.com/english/news.asp?section=1&id=23842

[TimS]

This guy can derail the train before it leaves the station

[SEB]

Al-Sadr's Hezbollah designs for Iraq

19/01/2011By Ma'ad Fayad

London, Asharq Al-Awsat- A Iraqi political source in the city of Al-Najaf has stated that Al-Sadr movement's Leader Muqtada al-Sadr "is preparing to be Iraq's Hasan Nasrallah and play a major influential role" and warned that "partisan struggles for the political leadership of Iraq's Shiites will take place in Al-Najaf, Karbala, and other central Euphrates and southern cities."

The source which spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat on the condition of anonymity by telephone from Al-Najaf said that "the leader of Al-Sadr movement is holding in his family's home in Al-Hananah quarter, intensive meetings with leaders of his movement in an effort to put their affairs in order and resolve some conflicts and struggles inside it, especially between those wearing turbans and those not wearing them (Mullahs and non-mullahs). The first are asserting that they are the ones who protected the Trend and its permanence while the others believe they were the ones credited with making the Trend a political movement."

The source went on to say that discussions during the meeting also focused on the removal of some the traditional leaders whom Al-Sadr believes are undisciplined or not in tune with the times, especially as some symbols of the movement have yet to appear in Al-Najaf since Al-Sadr's return.

The political source went on to say: "Al-Sadr returned to Iraq arrogant with power after having left Al-Najaf in secret for fear of being arrested by American forces. But his movment today has 40 seats in the Iraqi House of Representatives and seven ministers in the government. This hastened his return to play an influential political role that is to a large extent similar to the role of Hasan Nasrallah, leader of Hezbollah in Lebanon, according to what those close to Al-Sadr are asserting."

The source pointed out that "the attention the Iraqi political leaders are paying Al-Sadr is giving him stronger impetus" and referred to "the visit by President Jalal Talabani, leader of the Democratic Union of Kurdistan, to Al-Sadr in his house in Al-Najaf and the telephone contact Dr. Iyad Allawi, the former Iraqi prime minister and Al-Iraqiya List leader, had with him the day before yesterday."

The source noted that, "leaders of the traditional Shiite parties are not happy with Al-Sadr's return to Al-Najaf, the capital of Shiite influence." It added that "hot political struggles between the Shiite parties for control of the Shiite influence are going to surface through events, especially between Al-Sadr Trend and Al-Dawa Party, which is led by Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, on one hand and between the Trend and the Islamic Supreme Council [iISC] which is led by Ammar al-Hakim on the other hand." It warned that "the struggle between Al-Sadr Trend and the IISC is going to be more public due to the historic struggle for control of Al-Najaf between Al-Sadr and Al-Hakim's families."

The source believes that "Muqtada al-Sadr will not forget his traditional enemies easily or the battles the current Prime Minster Nuri Al-Maliki led against his Trend in which many of his supporters were killed or arrested. Hence, the struggle between Al-Sadr and Al-Maliki will not be confined only to the partisan one between Al-Sadr Trend and Al-Dawa Party but personal aspects and settlement of accounts might be involved which will weaken both sides, particularly as Al-Dawa Party considers itself as having greater Shiite influence in Iraq and does not accept anything less than that. This Shiite party even sees itself as the only political representative of Iraq's Shiites following the reduced influence of IISC in the recent legislative elections and its failure to obtain important ministries in Al-Maliki's second government." The source does not rule out the possibility of "Al-Sadr starting his battle with Al-Maliki by criticizing the government's performance and through his ministers and parliamentary deputies so as to weaken the prime minister's position without triumphing over him" and pointed out that the "coming months will see noticeable tensions between the Shiite parties' leaders and the people of Al-Najaf are fearful of Al-Sadr Trend's calm before the storm."

However, Baha al-Aaraji, the leader in the Trend who is close to Muqtada, has said "Iraq is not Lebanon. What applies there cannot be applied here. In his speeches and statements, Muqtada al-Sadr stresses the need to stay away from weapons and demands that any issue should be resolved politically." He pointed out that the Trend leader "is expecting the government to provide the services to the Iraqi people and to get the American occupation forces out. He will back the government and give it the chance even though he had said it was weak. We will comment if his demands, which are for the Iraqis, are not fulfilled." He told Asharq Al-Awsat "there is a roadmap that is not yet clear and things will become clearer after "fortieth" celebration which marks the anniversary of the martyrdom of Imam Al-Hussein, when large meetings will be held."

http://www.aawsat.com/english/news.asp?section=1&id=23842

IMO.........I think we should get out of their and give Al Sadr a chance to fufill his commitment......I don't think that he will, but atleast the govt. would have shown grace to him. Then, the govt. could justify getting rid of Al-Sadr and his followers...........

[harry2299]

I said it last week and I will say it again, this guy has to be taken OUT!!!!!!.....His hatred towards the USA is very obvious and so is his disrespect.He is gonna start alot of chit and its only gonna get worse, we need to end it before it gets out of hand.....shine one of those little bright lights at his head, problem solved.

[Soldiering4U]

I agree we need to end him but it needs to look like one of his followers did it or a bad traffic accident... any one got some cutters I need them for a break line LOL

[coyote]

Couldn't agree more, but you would think the Iraqi people would see the problem with this jackass and take him out themselves, hell they have no problem killing 52 police candidates, Sadar should be a piece of cake

[Uncle Munsch]

We had a murder warrant out for this tard early on, and we let him walk.......that might come back to bite us in the end.....

T,

[snowglobe4]

we had a chance to take out osama and we did not do it either.....that came back to bite us as well.

[Wino]

I think that M will let him have enough rope to hang himself. Sooner or later one of his close followers will do something dramatic that be be associated directly with Al Sadir and that will give M the chance he needs to take care of the problem. M has hated him for a long time.

[imgesing]

What is interesting is his statement....

will back the government and give it the chance even though he had said it was weak. We will comment if his demands, which are for the Iraqis, are not fulfilled." He told Asharq Al-Awsat "there is a roadmap that is not yet clear and things will become clearer after "fortieth" celebration which marks the anniversary of the martyrdom of Imam Al-Hussein, when large meetings will be held

Is this a sign of an RV? He is awaiting the RV I believe... That way the people will have a better life and he thinks he will step in and control things. I REALLY DO NOT BELIEVE THEY WILL LET HIM. But for now he is just a little nat in our ear. Let's see what takes place. If he were that big of a threat I seriously think he wouldnt be alive still. We didnt put that much into that region to have this NAT screw it up. Maybe he is good in the fact that the anger of those who are there awaiting a better life can focus on him... A kind of pressure release for the time being. Who knows? The main thing is that I dont believe his sentiment will be allowed for long.

[steveo]

hear hear im with u on that one imgesing...+1 for u

[luv2hike27]

I would chip in a few dinar to send him a Phoenix missile for a welcome home gift...

[tuxunder]

Kill him now, just think how much better off Israel would have been had they killed Arafat 40 years ago and whomever took his place. Aggression and death is what gets their attention.

[Happy Man]

Its strange to think that this person would not tolerate americans that freed them from tiranny of Sadam

but instead would tolerate chinese people that only want to put them under a kind of economic tyranni.

Chinese are not interested in their freedom and an democratic environment for all

people in Iraq they are only interested in their natural ressources period.

[TennesseeCherokee]

What is interesting is his statement....

will back the government and give it the chance even though he had said it was weak. We will comment if his demands, which are for the Iraqis, are not fulfilled." He told Asharq Al-Awsat "there is a roadmap that is not yet clear and things will become clearer after "fortieth" celebration which marks the anniversary of the martyrdom of Imam Al-Hussein, when large meetings will be held

Is this a sign of an RV? He is awaiting the RV I believe... That way the people will have a better life and he thinks he will step in and control things. I REALLY DO NOT BELIEVE THEY WILL LET HIM. But for now he is just a little nat in our ear. Let's see what takes place. If he were that big of a threat I seriously think he wouldnt be alive still. We didnt put that much into that region to have this NAT screw it up. Maybe he is good in the fact that the anger of those who are there awaiting a better life can focus on him... A kind of pressure release for the time being. Who knows? The main thing is that I dont believe his sentiment will be allowed for long.

..............Agree 100 %. The CIA are shadowing his every move. They will remove him once he steps over a predetermined line.

[quadraph0nic]

Killing him is the last option as much as I hate this creep. They will first try and pay this guy off. If it doesn't work out then he will be killed or he will go back to tehran. I don't believe Maliki will tolerate any b.s. from him if he tries to destablize the government.

This needs to be handled by the Iraqi's. Any US involvement such as using CIA and what not to carry out any wetworks against this dirtbag in my opinion is a liablity in itself given how popular we are in this area of the world.

Edited January 20, 2011 by quadraph0nic

[HYDRANT]

I think al-sadr aready had his plans maid well in advanced before his return and is slowly putting things into place,i agee this guy is trouble

[Richardk]

IMO, if they don't get the basic services (water, power and sewer) and jobs for the Iraqi people, then Sadr will prey on the poor to rise up as in other ME countries. The GOI really needs to get the final positions filled and approved ASAP. This will according to many allow the RV or RI happen and should help in not allowing the people to be swayed towards the civil unrest that again IMO Sadr and Iran wants. We (the US) and GOI must watch this guy and look to keeping the Iran influence out. I believe Iraq got a wake up call during the conference they just attended.

Stay grounded, calm and be happy

Go RV/RI

[TimS]

Couldn't agree more, but you would think the Iraqi people would see the problem with this jackass and take him out themselves, hell they have no problem killing 52 police candidates, Sadar should be a piece of cake

Sadr was probably behind those attackes?

IMO, if they don't get the basic services (water, power and sewer) and jobs for the Iraqi people, then Sadr will prey on the poor to rise up as in other ME countries. The GOI really needs to get the final positions filled and approved ASAP. This will according to many allow the RV or RI happen and should help in not allowing the people to be swayed towards the civil unrest that again IMO Sadr and Iran wants. We (the US) and GOI must watch this guy and look to keeping the Iran influence out. I believe Iraq got a wake up call during the conference they just attended.

Stay grounded, calm and be happy

Go RV/RI

Great post....dead on, problem is the factions are all about themselves instead of the good of "ALL" so while they fight among themselves, Sadr gets to stir the pot even more

[aferriss]

Judging from the article, if there is already division within the Shiite people pertaining to al-Sadr and Maliki (I believe that's who the article referred to) then there is a good chance that they may rise up against each other. "A house divided cannot stand." I mean, they've been warring against each other for centuries anyway. I'm sure there are those that don't want to go back to live in the "Stone Age". Hopefully, the United States, the United Kingdom, Israel, and other countries that classify as heathen can stay out of the limelight this time and they'll dispute it amongst themselves. I don't like the idea that a creature such as al-Sadr can earn "martyrdom" status on account of one of us taking him out. My hope is that al-Sadr loses this conquest. But I'm in agreement that something needs to happen to remove al-Sadr. He will only bring more trouble, pain, and suffering for everyone.