Hunting Muqtada al-Sadr: The Most Dangerous Man in Iraq

Muqtada al-Sadr is a Shia cleric and politician who has been a major force in Iraqi politics since the US invasion in 2003. He is the leader of the Sadrist movement, which is a powerful political bloc in Iraq and has been involved in both violent and peaceful resistance to US and Iraqi government forces.

Al-Sadr is a controversial figure, and his supporters and detractors alike often refer to him as "the most dangerous man in Iraq." He is a charismatic and popular leader, but he is also known for his fiery rhetoric and his willingness to use violence to achieve his goals.

Hunting Muqtada: Iraq's Most Dangerous Man

by Harold M. North

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	435 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	232 pages
Hardcover	:	552 pages
Item Weight	:	2.1 pounds
Dimensions	:	6.14 x 1.25 x 9.21 inches

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Al-Sadr was born in the holy city of Najaf in 1974. He is the son of Grand Ayatollah Muhammad Sadiq al-Sadr, who was assassinated by Saddam Hussein's regime in 1999. Al-Sadr studied in Najaf and Qom, Iran, and became a cleric in 2003.

After the US invasion of Iraq in 2003, al-Sadr emerged as a leader of the resistance to the US occupation. He founded the Mahdi Army, a Shia militia that fought against US forces and the Iraqi government. Al-Sadr was also a vocal critic of the US-led occupation and the Iraqi government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

In 2004, al-Sadr led an uprising against US forces in Najaf. The uprising was eventually put down, but it demonstrated al-Sadr's ability to mobilize his supporters and challenge the US occupation.

In 2006, al-Sadr's Mahdi Army fought against US forces in the Battle of Sadr City. The battle was one of the bloodiest of the Iraq War, and it resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Iraqi civilians.

In 2008, al-Sadr ordered his Mahdi Army to stand down and cease fighting against US forces. He also called for his followers to participate in the Iraqi political process.

Al-Sadr has since become a more moderate figure, and he has played a role in the Iraqi government. He is a member of the Iraqi parliament, and he has been a vocal critic of the Iraqi government's corruption and sectarianism.

Al-Sadr is a complex and controversial figure. He is a charismatic and popular leader, but he is also known for his fiery rhetoric and his willingness to use violence to achieve his goals. He is a powerful force in Iraqi politics, and he will likely continue to be a major player in the country's future.

The Sadrist Movement

The Sadrist movement is a political bloc in Iraq that is led by Muqtada al-Sadr. The movement is based on the teachings of Grand Ayatollah Muhammad Sadiq al-Sadr, who was assassinated by Saddam Hussein's regime in 1999.

The Sadrist movement is a Shia Islamist movement, and its goals include the establishment of an Islamic state in Iraq. The movement is also opposed to the US occupation of Iraq and the Iraqi government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

The Sadrist movement has a strong following among the Shia population of Iraq. The movement is particularly popular in the southern city of Basra and the Baghdad slum of Sadr City.

The Sadrist movement has been involved in both violent and peaceful resistance to US and Iraqi government forces. The movement's Mahdi Army militia has fought against US forces and the Iraqi government. The movement has also been involved in protests and other forms of nonviolent resistance.

The Sadrist movement is a powerful force in Iraqi politics. The movement is a major player in the Iraqi parliament, and it has been able to mobilize its supporters to protest against the US occupation and the Iraqi government.

Al-Sadr's Relationship with the US

Al-Sadr's relationship with the US has been complex and often hostile. Al-Sadr is a vocal critic of the US occupation of Iraq, and he has called for the withdrawal of US forces from the country.

The US has accused al-Sadr of being a terrorist and of supporting violence against US forces. The US has also designated the Mahdi Army as a terrorist organization.

In 2004, the US launched a raid on al-Sadr's compound in Najaf. The raid resulted in the deaths of hundreds of al-Sadr's followers. Al-Sadr was not present at the compound at the time of the raid, but he condemned the attack as a massacre.

In 2008, al-Sadr ordered his Mahdi Army to stand down and cease fighting against US forces. He also called for his followers to participate in the Iraqi political process.

Al-Sadr's relationship with the US has improved somewhat since 2008. Al-Sadr has met with US officials, and he has called for cooperation between the US and Iraq.

However, al-Sadr remains a critic of the US. He has accused the US of interfering in Iraqi politics and of supporting the Iraqi government's sectarian policies.

Al-Sadr's Relationship with the Iraqi Government

Al-Sadr's relationship with the Iraqi government has also been complex and often hostile. Al-Sadr is a vocal critic of the Iraqi government, and he has called for the resignation of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

The Iraqi government has accused al-Sadr of being a terrorist and of supporting violence against the Iraqi government.

In 2008, the Iraqi government launched a military operation against al-Sadr's Mahdi Army in Basra. The operation resulted in the deaths of hundreds of al-Sadr's followers. Al-Sadr condemned the attack as a massacre.

In 2014, al-Sadr's followers fought alongside Iraqi government forces against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Al-Sadr called for the formation of a national unity government to fight against ISIS.

Al-Sadr's relationship with the Iraqi government has improved somewhat since 2014. Al-Sadr has met with Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, and he has called for cooperation between the government and the Sadrist movement.

However, al-Sadr remains a critic of the Iraqi government. He has accused the government of corruption and sectarianism.

Al-Sadr's Future

Al-Sadr is likely to remain a powerful force in Iraqi politics for years to come. He is a charismatic and popular leader, and he has a strong following among the Shia population of Iraq.

Al-Sadr's future depends on a number of factors, including the outcome of the fight against ISIS, the political stability of Iraq, and the relationship between the US and Iraq.

If ISIS is defeated and Iraq remains stable, al-Sadr is likely to continue to play a major role in Iraqi politics. He could become prime minister or even president of Iraq.

However, if ISIS is not defeated or if Iraq becomes unstable, al-Sadr's future is less certain. He could be forced to flee Iraq or even be killed.

Muqtada al-Sadr is a complex and controversial figure. He is a charismatic and popular leader, but he is also known for his fiery rhetoric and his willingness to use violence to achieve his goals.

Al-Sadr is a powerful force in Iraqi politics, and he will likely continue to be a major player in the country's future. His future depends on a number of factors, including the outcome of the fight against ISIS, the political stability of Iraq, and the relationship between the US and Iraq.

Hunting Muqtada: Iraq's Most Dangerous Man

by Harold M. North

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	435 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	232 pages
Hardcover	:	552 pages
Item Weight	:	2.1 pounds
Dimensions	:	6.14 x 1.25 x 9.21 inches

FREE