Al-Sadr suspends militia activity in Iraq

[ProSense]

Al-Sadr suspends militia activity in Iraq

By DAVID RISING, Associated Press Writer
1 hour, 29 minutes ago

BAGHDAD - Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has ordered a six-month suspension of activities by his Mahdi Army militia in order to reorganize the force, and it will no longer attack U.S. and coalition troops, aides said Wednesday.

The aide, Sheik Hazim al-Araji, said on Iraqi state television that the goal was to "rehabilitate" the organization, which has reportedly broken into factions, some of which the U.S. maintains are trained and supplied by Iran.

"We declare the freezing of the Mahdi Army without exception in order to rehabilitate it in a way that will safeguard its ideological image within a maximum period of six months starting from the day this statement is issued," al-Araji said, reading from a statement by al-Sadr.

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"It also includes suspending the taking up of arms against occupiers as well as others," Ahmed al-Shaibani told reporters.

Asked if Mahdi militiamen would defend themselves against provocations, he replied: "We will deal with it when it happens."

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In Baghdad, snipers, explosions and automatic weapons fire, as violence claims 51 lives

Apparently, Sadr has losted control of his militia.

[TwilightGardener]

1. That's good news, I suppose, but I'm wary of his actions and motives.

[RobofSWVA]

2. I hope it helps

If less people die it's a good thing. In spite of the reasons for war, we still need to hope for progress.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

3. Sounds more like a consolidation.

[sampsonblk]

4. You beat me to it again

This story jumped out at me too.

If al-Sadr suspends his miitia for any meaningful amount of time, then they are finished as a major player in this mess.

He has to know that. So either this is just a PR move, or he is willing to accept the permanent removal of his force as a player in this disaster.