Al-Sadr To Mobilize New Force To Fight US Troops

Can Tran June 13, 2008

Today, mosques across Iraq have read a letter written by the Shiite cleric known as Muqtada al-Sadr. Al-Sadr has sworn to continue his fight to “liberate” Iraq from the United States-led troops. His Medhi Army has a dominant presence in Shiite cities, towns, and neighborhoods across the country.

In the letter, Al-Sadr said that he will define a new group that will be tasked with going up against the US-led troops. So far, sources that are familiar with Al-Sadr suspect that he is trying to get help from Shiite militants from Iran. Also, it is believed that Al-Sadr will also get help from the rogue members of the Medhi Army.

The mainstream Mehdi Army has adhered to the cease-fire agreement. As a result, it had helped reduce the violence in the country. But, Al-Sadr plans to continue his “mission” against US troops.

In the letter, Al-Sadr wrote that they will only target the “occupiers.” That would mean that this new group will only target US troops. But, it can also extend to troops from other countries as well. In the letter, Al-Sadr seems bent on “liberating” Iraq or dying as a “martyr.”

However, it is also said that the rest of the Medhi Army is going to become a civilian movement rather than a militant movement. In short, this group will be fighting against Western ideology.

It makes things harder on the talks between Iraq and the United States on a long term security agreement.

In a nutshell, things are going to get more difficult for the United States presence in Iraq.