The growing power of the Mahdi Army led by hard-line cleric Moqtada al-Sadr poses more danger to both Iraqi citizens and the US in the Sunni dominated western part of Baghdad than the Al Qaeda led insurgency. The violent activities sponsored by the Shiite militia and its hatred to share power with the Sunni factions have become a headache for the US masters of the incumbent Iraqi administration.
The Mahdi Army is a radical grouping led by Moqtada al-Sadr, the head cleric of Sadr city near Baghdad and one of the influential Shiite leaders. He is well known for his links with clergy dominated Supreme Council of Iran. The bloody war led by his Mahdi Army last year with the US troops on Baghdad steets tells volumes of his radical influence. His militia dominates the entire western Baghdad including markets, housing projects, municipal amenities and energy resources.
The Mahdi Army led by Sadr is well organized and equipped with tank-piercing bombs, mortars, machine guns and grenades. The political wing of the militia holds a major stake in the government led by PM Nouri Maliki. Though a partner in the political process, the militia is hell bent on transforming ethnic composition of area dominated by it, by mercilessly killing and forcing out Sunnis and denying essential services to them. This led to many Sunni groups to support Al Qaeda led insurgency and target the largely Shiite led government.
Apart from encouraging civil war Sadr and his Shiite militia are also trying to ambush every political attempt by the international community to bring peace in Iraq. His radical leanings and threat to unleash violent struggle in the event of any power sharing deal with the non-Shiites has bulldozed American attempt to form a true national government of Iraq comprising all ethnic sects. When forced to surrender their arms in December last year, Mahdi army led a bloody street fighting with the US forces and under pressure Moqtada al-Sadr got underground for many months. The militia also ambushed American patrols ensuring security or providing supplies in Sunni dominated areas.
For long the US has been accusing Iran of financing and arming the Mahdi Army. The militia and its power support among the Shia population of Iraq is a major block in the political solution of the ethnic problem of Iraq. The inaction of the Maliki administration and other Shiite leaders to restrain this radical force is pushing the future of Iraq in to more bloodbath and uncertainty.
Via: Washington Post
