Tag Archives | Moqtada al-Sadr

Al Sadr Calls on UN Help

By Simon Kent. As Iraq's political crisis drags on, Moqtada al Sadr's erratic posturing continues. Last month, he called for mass demonstrations outside of the International Zone in Baghdad, formerly the Green Zone, and threatened to storm the area with protesters unless PM Abadi appointed a technocratic cabinet. But when Abadi announced 14 nominees, Al […]

Abadi Faces New Cabinet Deadline

By Simon Kent. Hard-line cleric Moqtada al Sadr has given PM Haider al Abadi (pictured) until this afternoon to announce new nominees for a new "technocratic cabinet," a reform idea first touted in February, although the composition of the cabinet will depend on parliament. Abadi has called on parliament "to convene immediately in order to overcome the […]

Video: Is Muqtada al-Sadr fueling Shia Infighting?

From Al Jazeera. Any opinions expressed are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Iraq's Shia cleric Muqtada al Sadr is putting pressure on Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi to carry out reforms to fight corruption. Sadr has managed to rally a huge number of angry Iraqi protesters […]

Moqtada al Sadr Demands Release of Turkish Hostages

By Simon Kent.  Shi'a cleric Moqtada al Sadr has again challenged the media image of himself as a radical "firebrand" by demanding the release of the 17 Turkish construction workers kidnapped in early September. The cleric has long had a reputation for violent anti government, anti-western and sectarian politics, after running the militias the Jaish […]

Concern Grows over Unregulated Shiite Forces

By Ali Mamouri for Al-Monitor. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. The popular mobilization forces have been widely controversial in Iraq since their inception in June 2014. Public opinion has focused on the legitimacy of these irregular forces, their activities and the possible illegal killings committed […]

Video: Al-Sadr calls for Emergency Govt

From Al Jazeera. Any opinions expressed are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. One of Iraq's most powerful Shia leaders has joined a chorus of calls for a national unity government. Moqtadr Al Sadr says Iraq risks spiraling into chaos without a change of leadership. Al […]

Al-Sadr - Retiring or Repositioning?

By Harith Hasan for Al-Monitor. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. The announcement of Muqtada al-Sadr, the leader of the Sadrist movement, that he is retiring from politics triggered many reactions from political and popular circles in Iraq, as well as a lot […]

Sadr Reconsiders Political Role, Mahdi Army

By Ali Abdel Sadah for Al-Monitor. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. The armed clashes between the Mahdi Army and Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq that took place in east Baghdad at the beginning of August aroused concerns that armed conflicts might prevail in the streets once […]

Sadr Gives Maliki 'Final Warning'

By Ali Abel Sadah for Al-Monitor. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. What did controversial Iraqi Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sadr mean when he issued on May 27 “a final warning to the government to assume its duty of protecting the people"? Political observers […]

Video: Al-Sadr Protests Iraqi Sectarianism

From Jewish News One. Any opinions expressed are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Thousands have gathered in the Iraqi capital Baghdad to join the powerful Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr in protest against sectarianism and to demand the resignation of the country's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki: […]

The New Muqtada al-Sadr Seeks Moderate Image

By Mustafa al-Kadhimi for Al-Monitor. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. During Iraq’s recent crises, the young religious leader Muqtada al-Sadr has presented himself as a mature and visionary politician. In the past, Sadr, his movement and its military wing, the Mahdi […]

Video: Maliki Warns Protesters to End Rallies

Nouri al-Maliki, Iraq's Shia prime minister, has warned the largely Sunni protesters to stop their demonstrations. The move comes as powerful Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr voiced his support for the Sunni protests. Maliki has ordered the release of more than 700 female prisoners, a key demand of the demonstrators, but he also issued a warning […]