One dumb cleric ruining it for the rest of the Iraq

[NightCrawler]

Seems this one 31 year cleric is going to tip Iraq into chaos. Even other clerics asked him to tone down his rethoric but he is very millitant. The other clerics said they are very worried that this guy is causing so much trouble.

The trouble is coming from supporters of the radical young cleric, Moqtada Sadr, who has 10%, maybe 15% of Shias behind him.

There are also many secular Shias, and most religious Shia still cleave to the moderate Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani.

He does not like the occupation either, but he is a quietist, who believes in peaceful opposition to the US.

I spoke to three masked members of a Shia militia in Basra last summer.

As they cradled rocket-propelled grenades in their arms, they said they were grateful to British soldiers for liberating their country, but if the British did not leave soon, they would start killing them.

 

[Dissipate]

Uh, news flash. He's not the only one. There are many warring factions in Iraq, the country would turn into a blood bath if U.S. troops pull out now. But as I say: who cares, pull out the troops and let these factions wipe themselves out.

 

[DaFinn]

He comes from a very powerful family. That's why Saddam City was changed to Sadr City. US was warned long time ago, that he may be trouble. US officials dismissed him as being too young (31) for anyone to take him seriously in Iraq... I guess this is another failure for US intelligence.

 

[NightCrawler]

Originally posted by: DaFinn
He comes from a very powerful family. That's why Saddam City was changed to Sadr City. US was warned long time ago, that he may be trouble. US officials dismissed him as being too young (31) for anyone to take him seriously in Iraq... I guess this is another failure for US intelligence.

That's not true, they knew exactly who he was from the start and worried that he would cause trouble. They took a gentle approach to him as he gave his Death to America speeches. He stayed out of trouble for awhile but then killed a moderate cleric, the sheriff put out a warrant for his arrest but didn't really pursue picking him up.

 

[PingSpike]

I predict that the capture or mysterious death of this Cleric does little to impact the violence in Iraq. In fact, it may incite things more.

As the above guy said, its not "One dumb cleric" its a whole fricking lot of people. I know the news showed all those clips of Iraqi's kissing American troops feet and whatnot, but the whole place isn't that way.

 

[kage69]

NightCrawler is correct. Our guys have always been well aware of Sadr, and have dealt with him in an admirable fashion ever since his political/religious invective was leveled at those who freed him from Saddam.

 

[alchemize]

4 letters....

I R A N

 

[ianbergman]

Originally posted by: alchemize
4 letters.... I R A N

??

 

[Acanthus]

Originally posted by: Dissipate
Uh, news flash. He's not the only one. There are many warring factions in Iraq, the country would turn into a blood bath if U.S. troops pull out now. But as I say: who cares, pull out the troops and let these factions wipe themselves out.

Agreed. When the population of Iraq is 3, 2 of them can vote the other one for president. :beer: