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Iraq

Basra bid for autonomy falls short of required vote

2009-01-20

Basra's bid to become an autonomous region, fell short of the 10 per cent of votes required according to the Independent Electoral Commission. This failure will most likely lead to further division and quarrelling between political parties vested in the region. Among those opposed to Basra's autonomy bid were Shiite parties affiliated with Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki, Abdul Aziz Al Hakim, and Moqtada Al Sadr. The Baathists also opposed the bid. "Conflicting parties worked together for a common goal, which was to abort the Basra autonomy bid. This happened through voter intimidation, but we will reassert our bid for autonomy next year," Basim Al Musawi, member of the Basra Governorate Council told Gulf News. Only 5 per cent of the votes counted favoured autonomy. "It is ironic that the Baath party and Al Maliki's Dawa Party as well as the Islamic Supreme Council, worked together to obstruct the vote counting," Zahra Al Saadoun, a political researcher in Basra told Gulf News. The failure of Basra's bid, scores a major political victory for the Shiite Alliance under Abdul Aziz Al Hakim, who has long rejected the project due to his vision for an expanded federal project to include nine Shiite provinces in the southern and central Iraq.

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Iraq

Ayatollah Ali Al Sistani behind Iraqi demand for withdrawal timetable

2008-07-12

A strong political debate is being waged in Baghdad on the role the Shiite supreme religious authority in Najaf, Grand Ayatollah Ali Al Sistani, played in negotiations between Iraq and the US on a memorandum of security. Al Sistani insisted on including a timetable for the withdrawal of American forces. This intervention by Al Sistani has brought to the fore the differences between the major political parties in the Iraqi government. The Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council led by Abdul Aziz Al Hakim has accepted Al Sistani's demand for a definite timetable for the withdrawal of US forces in Iraq. But the position of the mainly Sunni Iraqi Accord Front and the Kurdish bloc was that the subject of withdrawals was not to be raised in the current negotiations, Kurdish political sources told Gulf News. Mahmoud Othman, leader of the Democratic Patriotic Alliance of Kurdistan, told Gulf News: "The Political Council for National Security, which includes the major political blocs in the country, had agreed not to press for a timetable for the withdrawal of US forces, but it seems the call by Al Sistani is the crucial one to determine the progress of the negotiations with the Americans." In some Shiite neighbourhoods in Baghdad people have written slogans on walls reading: "Sistani is the national independence hero". Resentment Al Sistani's intervention has caused resentment among some political parties and the Kurds. They feel vital political decisions need to be made by political parties and not clergy. Al Sistani's position was totally opposed to that of the Kurds who support the long-term presence of the American military. A spokesman for Al Sistani said, however, he did not interfere with the details of the agreement such as a specific timetable. All he did was to call on the Iraqi Government to commit itself to the principle of sovereignty and national independence in any agreement with the Americans, the leader of the Shiite Islamic Council, Hamid Muala Al Saedi, told Gulf News. Sources in Najaf told Gulf News Al Sistani told national security advisor Muwaffaq Al Rubaie when the latter visited him days ago that Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki must remember that the national independence of Iraq should be non-negotiable in Iraqi-US talks. But Iraqi political parties opposed to Iranian influence in Iraq were angered at Al Sistani's attempt to influence the Government. They accused Iran of interfering in the Iraqi-US talks through Al Sistani. Political researcher Amjad Hussain told Gulf News Iran has a "dangerous" denominational influence on Shiite religious authorities in Iraq.

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Iraq

Hakim Dashes Sunni Hopes

2006-01-12

The most influential politician in Iraq issued a veiled warning yesterday to Sunni Arabs that Shiites would not allow substantive amendments to the country’s new constitution, including to the provision that keeps the central government weak in favor of strong provincial governments. Abdul Aziz Al-Hakim, the leader of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, or SCIRI, said in an address on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha that provincial governments would remain strong in the constitution, which can be amended after the next government is installed. “The first principle is not to change the essence of the constitution. This constitution was endorsed by the Iraqi people,” he said. Sunni Arabs place great stock in their ability to change the constitution, one of the reasons Sunni politician urged the minority to turn out in large numbers during the Dec. 15 parliamentary election. They want a stronger central government because the constitution now bestows most power — including control over oil profits — to provincial governments. The Shiites in the south and the Kurds in the north control most of Iraq’s oil. There are few oil reserves in central Iraq, where Sunnis live. To win their support for the new constitution, which was approved in an Oct. 15 vote, Sunni Arabs were promised they could propose amendments to it during the first four months of the new Parliament’s tenure. The new Parliament is expected to be seated around the end of February. Amendments need two-thirds approval in Parliament and a majority in a national referendum. Golly. My heart's breaking for them... No... Wait. That's the brussels sprouts. I knew I shouldn't have eaten so many...

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Iraq

Shiites, Kurds agree to open gov't to Sunnis

2005-12-28

Leaders of the Shiite and Kurdish blocs that emerged triumphant in this month's Iraqi election agreed on Tuesday to push ahead with efforts to bring Sunni and other parties into a grand coalition government. The visit of Abdul Aziz Al Hakim of the Shiite Islamist Alliance to the Kurdish capital Erbil opened a series of planned meetings among rival factions intended to ease friction over election results which Sunni and secular parties say have been rigged and to begin building a consensus administration. “We agreed on the principle of forming a government involving all the parties with a wide popular base,” Kurdish regional leader Masoud Barzani told a joint news conference after talks with Hakim, the dominant force in the alliance. Hakim, whose bloc has run the interim government for the past year in coalition with the Kurds, was due to meet the other main Kurdish leader, Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, on Wednesday, launching a series of bilateral meetings that will include Sunni Arab and secular leaders disappointed in the vote. In Baghdad, several thousand supporters of secular former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi marched in the latest street protest against the results of the December 15 ballot. They want a rerun of a vote that handed close to a majority to the alliance, whose armed supporters they accuse of forming Islamist death squads. Privately, however, many disappointed leaders acknowledge the results will stand and say they will negotiate a coalition. After meeting Hakim, Talabani will see, among others, Allawi, a secular Shiite, and Sunnis Adnan Al Dulaimi and Tariq Al Hashemi of the Accordance Front, Planning Minister Barham Saleh, a senior official in Talabani's party, said.

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Iraq-Jordan

Shiite demand for autonomy angers Sunnis in Iraq

2005-08-13

BAGHDAD - Iraq’s Shiite majority made a surprise move toward Kurdish-style autonomy, angering the ousted Sunni Arab elite, just days before a deadline for agreement on a new constitution. As the Sunni Arabs seethed voiced their anger, Thursday’s call from leading Shiite politician Abdul Aziz Al Hakim for autonomy in Shiite areas of south and central Iraq angered Sunni Arab leaders who said it could derail the entire political process. “We are shocked and scared by the demand for autonomy as expressed by my Shiite brothers,” said Salah Al Motlag, a key Sunni member of the constitutional drafting committee. “The timing of the demand is wrong with just three days left to go for the deadline. Such demands can delay the constitution and Iraq could be without a constitution for another year.” Some Shiite politicians have previously made calls for autonomy in the south and center of the country, but it was the first time that Hakim, a former exile in Iran who headed the victorious Shiite alliance in January elections, had lent such explicit support. His comments came after meetings in Najaf Wednesday with Shiite spiritual leader Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani and radical cleric Moqtada Al Sadr. Sunni religious leaders also made faces strongly condemned the proposal of a Shiite autonomous zone. “That Iraq is divided into cantons is what the Jews and our enemies want,” said Sheikh Mehdi Al Sulaimi, a member of the influential Association of Muslim Scholars, during Friday prayers at the group’s main mosque in Baghdad. Sunnis are fearful the creation of federally autonomous zones will prevent them taking an equal share of the Iraq’s lucrative oil reserves, predominantly located in the country’s Kurdish north and Shiite south. “We call for reason from those clamouring to break up (Iraq) ... we, in the center of the country, do not want an autonomous zone,” Sulaimi said. "We don't want our asses kicked!" The emerging consensus between Kurds and Shiites on a federal constitution leaves only the Sunni Arabs at odds on one of the key sticking points in the drafting of the new charter. Opposition from the Sunnis could still scupper the new constitution as the interim rules stipulate the charter can be rejected by a two-thirds majority in any three provinces. Three — Al Anbar, Tamim and Salaheddin — are predominately Sunni.

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Iraq-Jordan

Iraq leaders praise group accused of killings

2005-06-08

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Iraqi government officials have publicly supported a Shiite organization charged by many Sunni leaders with responsibility in the murders of their clerics and other notables. Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and Prime Minister Ibrahim Jaafari paid tribute Wednesday to the contribution of the Badr Organization and backed the group taking on a greater and more formal role maintaining Iraqi security. Other Sunni leaders were quick with praise for the organization and said the group "should be part of the political process." "You and your (Kurdish) brothers are the heroes of liberating Iraq," Talabani said, addressing a conference at the headquarters for the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI). The meeting marked the second anniversary of the Badr Organization's self-proclaimed transformation from military wing of SCIRI to political group. Talibani cited the opposition role played by both the Badr Brigade -- as it was known before changing its name to the Badr Organization two years ago -- and his own Kurdish militia, know as the Peshmerga, in combating Saddam Hussein and called on them to take a greater role going forward. Talabani brushed aside accusations that the Badr Organization had been involved in the targeting of Sunnis. "You, my brothers, march on without paying attention to the enemies' claims because you and the (Kurdish militia) are faithful sons of this country," he said. Also at the meeting was Iraq's Sunni Arab vice president, Ghazi al-Yawar, who said it was necessary for all Iraqis to come together and welcomed the Badr Organization's role as a political group in the country. The Badr Organization has been accused by some prominent Sunni figures as being complicit in a recent spate of killings of Sunni clerics and have charged the Shia-dominated government with giving the organization too much power. Last month, Harith al-Dhari the head of the Sunni Arab Muslim Scholars Association, made fiery accusations against the Badr Organization, claiming: "We knew the sides that stand behind the assassinations of imams, sheiks, and prayers ... they are the Badr militant group." Gee, he sez that like its a bad thing In subsequent weeks, efforts have been made to quell sectarian tension with the creation of Shia and Sunni councils to discuss the accusation of tit-for-tat killings traded between the two groups. Nasir al-Ani, a representative of the Iraqi Islamic Party, one of Iraq's most prominent Sunni parties, told CNN the conference "was well balanced for the benefits of all sides in Iraq." "The Badr Organization should be involved in the political process," said al-Ani, who attended the conference. "It's not only the Badr Organization that must be involved in the political process, but all political entities in Iraq must participate and be involved in the formation of the constitution." Al-Ani praised Vice President Adel Abdul Mehdi, SCIRI leader Abdul Aziz Al-Hakim, and the secretary general of the Badr Organization for their support to all Iraqis without pointing fingers at any side. Asked about al-Dhari's remarks, he said: "There were talks held involving officials from each side, and this situation was solved. "We just hope that what was said today will be the guidelines that are practiced throughout Iraq," he said. "I think this was an important event, and therefore it is important for all to continue to have a neutral attitude and work towards curing the security situation in Iraq."

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Iraq-Jordan

Iraqi Officials Confirm Zarqawi Is Wounded

2005-05-26

Iraq's interior and defense ministers said Thursday they have information that Abu Musab al-Zarqawi has been wounded, apparent confirmation of recent rumors that the Jordanian-born terrorist leader of Al Qaeda in Iraq was injured. "We have information in the Ministry of Interior that al-Zarqawi was wounded, but we don't know how seriously," Interior Minister Bayan Jabr said during a news conference. "We are not sure whether he is dead or not but we are sure that he is injured." Well, find out if he's dead, fer Cat's sake! An Internet statement claimed Tuesday that al-Zarqawi had been wounded in recent fighting. The statement, posted on a Web site known for carrying extremist material, could not be immediately authenticated. "Yes, it is true," said Iraqi Defense Minister Saadoun al-Duleimi when asked if al-Zarqawi had been wounded. Asked how he knew, he said: "It is my job." "Next stoopid question!" The speculation over al-Zarqawi's health deepened Wednesday after reports that two Arab doctors in another country were treating Iraq's most wanted militant, who has claimed responsibility for the country's deadliest attacks. Various rumors and claims in recent days have been made that al-Zarqawi is wounded, possibly by a bullet penetrating his lung and may have died or been taken out of Iraq for medical care. Earlier Thursday, another Internet statement signed in the name of Al Qaeda in Iraq said the group has appointed an interim leader for al-Zarqawi in light of his purported injury. But a subsequent posting shortly afterward disputed the claim. "He ain't no damned emir!" The authenticity of either statement could not be verified, though the second was posted in the name of the person who usually handles the group's Web site claims and announcements. The back-and-forth on same Web site, known as a clearinghouse of Islamic militant material, could be a sign of confusion or competition within Al Qaeda of Iraq. It follows speculation about the Jordanian-born militant that has been unusual in size and scope. Do you get the impression that the person writing this simply doesn't know, which puts him in the same category as the rest of us, but doesn't want to admit it, which makes him different from us? The first statement was signed in the name of Abu Doujanah al-Tunisi of the media committee of Al Qaeda in Iraq — an unfamiliar name from past statements. "The leaders met after the injury of our sheik, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi ... and decided to appoint a deputy to take the lead until the return of our sheik," it said in a posting on a militant Web site that two days earlier announced al-Zarqawi had been injured. "When's the gonna be?" "Ummm... Doomsday. Approximately." The statement said the new leader would be Abu Hafs al-Gerni, "deputy of the holy warriors." But a rival denial was posted a short time later, signed off by Abu Maysara al-Iraqi, the name usually associated with Al Qaeda in Iraq postings when a name is indicated. "We deny all that has been said about appointing the so-called Abu Hafs or anyone by any other name," it said, reminding that Al Qaeda in the past has said to believe postings only in his name. "Yeah! I'm the one as says what goes here!" A respected pan-Arab newspaper reported Thursday that several candidates were jockeying to succeed al-Zarqawi, none of whom it identified as Abu Hafs al-Gerni, but one being Abu Maysara al-Iraqi — the man who issued Wednesday's denial that a deputy had been appointed. Al Hayat quoted multiple unidentified sources of various names, saying that sources in Jordan close to al-Zarqawi, including a former Iraqi officer, told the newspaper Abu Maysara al-Iraqi and Abu al-Dardaa al-Iraqi, an Al Qaeda operative in Baghdad, were two potential successors. Wednesday's first statement said al-Gerni "was known for carrying out the hardest operations, and our sheik would choose him and his group for the tough operations." Middle East experts on Islamic militants told The Associated Press that al-Gerni is a Saudi who has been al-Zarqawi's military adviser and is the emir, or prince — as senior commanders are called — of the military committee of Al Qaeda in Iraq. The two experts spoke on condition they not be further identified. Not surprising in the least that the front-runner's a Soddy. We may see a few of his rivals depart this vale of tears in one way or another in the next few days. An aide to Abdul Aziz Al-Hakim, head of Iraq's largest political party, the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, said al-Gerni was a non-Iraqi and a key lieutenant to al-Zarqawi. "We are not sure 100 percent that al-Zarqawi is dead, and we can't consider this step as a confirmation for his killing," said Haitham al-Hussaini, director of al-Hakim's office. "According to our intelligence, this al-Gerni is well known to us as one of al-Zarqawi's top aides in Iraq who has an Arab nationality," al-Hussaini said without elaborating on which country al-Gerni came from. If it's a "country whose name we dare not speak", odds are it's Saudi.

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Syria-Lebanon-Iran

Khatami Distances Iran From Sadr

2004-04-11

Iranian President Mohammad Khatami yesterday distanced Iran from the latest violent developments in Iraq under the leadership of radical Shiite leader Moqtada Sadr, saying there was no connection between Iran and radical Shiites. Is that just Khatami talking, or have the Big Black Turbans decided that Moqtada's going down and they're cutting the cord? IRNA news agency quoted Khatami as saying that the latest violence and kidnapping in Iraq harms the general image of Islam and Muslims. Which is already pretty battered... The president stressed that Iran supports the moderate policies of the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI), headed by Abdul Aziz Al-Hakim, and Shiite spiritual leader Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani. Both Sistani and Al-Hakim are known to be openly supported by Tehran but at the same time regarded as political rivals of Sadr. Iran, said Khatami, was one of the first countries to acknowledge the Governing Council in Baghdad. But he added that violence and tension would continue and escalate unless the US ends its occupation and allows the Iraqi people to determine their political fate. The president had earlier this week condemned the attacks by US- led coalition forces on Shiites in southern Iraq, describing them as contrary to their initial claims of bringing freedom and democracy to the country.

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Iraq-Jordan

Iraqi bloggers anti-sadr comments

2004-04-08

here is a sampling of what the iraqi bloggers are saying------------------------ http://www.dear_raed.blogspot.com/ says Every body, even the GC is very careful how they formulate their sentences and how they describe Sadir’s Militias. They are thugs, thugs thugs. There you have it. ---------------------------------- Iraq the Model says, http://iraqthemodel.blogspot.com/ The coalition forces’ spokesman declared that the coalition intends to arrest Muqtada and sue him for atrocities he’s accused of.... I prefer to see the IP capture him rather than the coalition soldiers because this -although maybe difficult- will show that Iraqis will stop who tries to harm our people and destroy our future even if he’s a cleric and even if he has many aggressive supporters. ------------------------------ Healing Iraq [zeyad is the link at the right] says, Sadr’s aide and head of his office in Najaf, Qays Al-Khaz’ali, has declared the latest looting and killing spree going on in several Iraqi southern cities as an Intifada against the occupation. Speaking on behalf of Muqtada, he stated that they will certainly not calm down any soon because the Quran orders them not to; "Fight those who fight against you".... One of his aides claimed that a delegation from Sistani met with Sadr informing him that the leading Shi’ite cleric supports Sadr and his followers and that their cause is legitimate. This contradicts Shitstani’s statements yesterday, indicating that the old wizard is either suffering from senility or is playing his own dirty tricks. None of Sistani’s agents have either denied or confirmed this claim, but they say that he will personally meet with Sadr tomorrow....I work in the Basrah governorate weeks ago, terrorizing IP officers, civil servants, and doctors but nobody was listening. I don’t think I will be heading back there any soon now. What surprises me is the almost professional coordination of the uprisings in all of these areas. I’m assuming, of course, that the money and equipment supplied by our dear Mullahs in Iran is being put to use good enough, not to mention the hundreds of Pasderan and Iranian intelligence officers.. sorry I mean Iranian Shia pilgrims that have been pouring into Iraq for months now. ...A couple of GC members have shyly spoken against the violence. Ayad Allawi (INA) first described the uprisings as being directed by ’evil and dark forces who wish no prosperity for Iraqis’, then he started beseeching his ’brother’ Muqtada Al-Sadr to stay calm (Even he is scared from Sadr’s thugs?). SCIRI leader, Abdul Aziz Al-Hakim condemned the behaviour of occupation forces in killing civilians in Najaf and called for their punishment. The Iraqi Ministry of Justice stated that they had absolutely nothing to do with the arrest warrant for Muqtada Al-Sadr. And you want us to keep hope? No one knows where it is all heading. If this uprising is not crushed immediately and those militia not captured then there is no hope at all. If you even consider negotiations or appeasement, then we are all doomed.

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Iraq-Jordan

More on Sadr's insurgency

2004-04-07

From Zeyad: Healing Iraq... Sadr's aide and head of his office in Najaf, Qays Al-Khaz'ali, has declared the latest looting and killing spree going on in several Iraqi southern cities as an Intifada against the occupation. I knew that intifada card would come out soon... Speaking on behalf of Muqtada, he stated that they will certainly not calm down any[time] soon because the Quran orders them not to; "Fight those who fight against you". And he has also made it clear that they stand united with their 'Sunni brothers' in Ramadi, Fallujah, and Adhamiya in the resistance. Even though the "Sunni brothers" regard them as next thing to Jews... Muqtada himself though doesn't seem as if he has made up his mind yet. I believe the fool senses that he has blundered seriously. I'd say so. There's no going back from this point. And he's bragged up that we'll never take him alive. Now he's got to do or die, and he's not going to do... Earlier yesterday he issued an announcement to his followers to cease the 'demonstrations', and that he had left the Kufa mosque and took refuge at Imam Ali's shrine in Najaf, typically hiding among civilians and holy sites like the coward he is. Later, however, he issued another written statement in which he reiterated his pledge to Hassan Fadhlallah, Hizbollah leader, adding to it that he will be the 'striking hand' for Grand Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani. Sistani doesn't seem to have much interest in having a "striking hand," at least not in public. Mullah Fudlullah has been deemphasizing his Hezbollah connections in anticipation of moving back to Iraq. I think Moqtada's going to be hung out to dry. One of his aides claimed that a delegation from Sistani met with Sadr informing him that the leading Shi'ite cleric supports Sadr and his followers and that their cause is legitimate. This contradicts Shitstani's statements yesterday, indicating that the old wizard is either suffering from senility or is playing his own dirty tricks. None of Sistani's agents have either denied or confirmed this claim, but they say that he will personally meet with Sadr tomorrow. It could be that either the meeting never took place or Sadr just announced what he'd wanted to come out of it. There was another report that Sistani told him to knock it off and he rebuffed it. Meanwhile, violent clashes continue in Nassiriya and Ammara between Al-Mahdi militiamen and coalition troops. There were reports that the militia had kidnapped two South Korean construction workers in Nassiriya. At Kut it was reported that IP and Ukrainian forces regained control of the local tv and radio station after it had been overrun by Sadr's henchmen, but that fighting resumed later in the evening. Also, reports of fighting at Diwaniyah, which had been the only major city in the south unaffected by the recent developments up until yesterday. He's trying to make the "intifada" nationwide... Of course, Sadr has set up offices in almost every city, town, and village in the south. And I have mentioned earlier that they had assumed full control over my small village where I work in the Basrah governorate weeks ago, terrorizing IP officers, civil servants, and doctors but nobody was listening. I don't think I will be heading back there any soon now. What surprises me is the almost professional coordination of the uprisings in all of these areas. That'd be the IRGC part of it, those "pilgrims" from Iran... I'm assuming, of course, that the money and equipment supplied by our dear Mullahs in Iran is being put to use good enough, not to mention the hundreds of Pasderan and Iranian intelligence officers... sorry I mean Iranian Shia pilgrims that have been pouring into Iraq for months now. Bingo. You got it, Zeyad... The situation in Baghdad looks the same as it was in the couple of days before the war last year. Streets are almost empty by seven in the evening, a whole lot of Baghdadis have remained home yesterday for fear of getting cut off from their neighbourhoods in event of Americans blocking off streets or something. There was an ongoing military operation very close to our neighbourhood almost all of Monday night till midday. At one point I imagined that the Apaches were landing on our roof (that was after I published the previous post), and explosions kept rocking our house which brought back uncanny memories of last April 10th when there was a fierce confrontation between Fedayeen and advancing Americans just outside our doorsteps. It' the samething, only now we're fighting Iran's proxies... I was standing outside with neighbours yesterday afternoon gossiping when a car drove by, threw a couple of fliers at us, shouting "read them, may Allah increase your reward". The fliers were signed by a group which called itself Saif Allah Albattar (Allah's striking sword) at Ramadi, Fallujah, Adhamiya, and Diyala, which advised Iraqis to remain home on April 9th (the anniversary of the occupation), stating that they would not be responsible if anyone failed to do so. Someone else talked about another group called the Iraqi Islamic Army (groups like these seem to pop up every other day) which claimed its responsibility for the killings of the 4 Americans in Fallujah last week, decribing them as 'Jews'. We're all "Jews," you know. In the Islamist mind "Jew" and "Americans" are the same thing... Anyway, it seems that fighting is ongoing in Sadr city, northeast of Baghdad. A total of 110 Iraqis and 19 coalition soldiers killed in the last 12 hours according to Al-Jazeera, which I have never witnessed being any more hateful and provocative until this day. They keep displaying headlines like 'Occupation forces target more women and children in Sadr city' or 'Resistance in Fallujah forces occupation forces to withdraw from locations'. It's always the women and children we're targeting, never the Bad Guys with the RPGs... A couple of GC members have shyly spoken against the violence. Ayad Allawi (INA) first described the uprisings as being directed by 'evil and dark forces who wish no prosperity for Iraqis', then he started beseeching his 'brother' Moqtada Al-Sadr to stay calm (Even he is scared from Sadr's thugs?). SCIRI leader, Abdul Aziz Al-Hakim condemned the behaviour of occupation forces in killing civilians in Najaf and called for their punishment. The Iraqi Ministry of Justice stated that they had absolutely nothing to do with the arrest warrant for Muqtada Al-Sadr. And you want us to keep hope? Don't give up hope. This is causing the wafflers and time-servers to choose sides. It's also probably laying the groundwork for the U.S. military throwing the mullahs out of Iran and Assad out of Syria. Unless he somehow manages to win, it's a stunning miscalculation on Moqtada's part... No one knows where it is all heading. If this uprising is not crushed immediately and those militia not captured then there is no hope at all. If you even consider negotiations or appeasement, then we are all doomed. My prediction: Moqtada in Iran by Friday...

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