Sadr led marchers against American troops in Iraq, although he seems to have fallen well short of his million-marcher goal:
Thousands of Iraqis rallied at two central Baghdad intersections on Friday after a prominent cleric called for a "million strong" protest against the American military presence, following the U.S. killing of an Iranian general and an Iraqi militia chief.
The march called by Moqtada al-Sadr aims to pressure Washington to pull out its troops, but many anti-government protesters fear it could overshadow their separate, months-long demonstrations that have challenged Iran-backed Shi'ite groups' grip on power.
But Sadr has decided to punish the existing anti-corruption protesters who have Iran in their sights as well:
Thousands of Iraqis rallied at two central Baghdad intersections on Friday after a prominent cleric called for a "million strong" protest against the American military presence, following the U.S. killing of an Iranian general and an Iraqi militia chief.
The march called by Moqtada al-Sadr aims to pressure Washington to pull out its troops, but many anti-government protesters fear it could overshadow their separate, months-long demonstrations that have challenged Iran-backed Shi'ite groups' grip on power. ...
In a tweet Friday evening, al-Sadr indicated his “disappointment” toward anti-government protesters in Baghdad's Tahrir Square, the epicenter of the anti-government protests. ...
“I am expressing my disappointment and my regret toward all those who doubted me among the Tahrir Square protesters,” said the tweet. “I thought they were supporters of me and of Iraq.” He also accused protesters of being “foreign paid tools.”
Sadr's march fell well short of his goal. And the genuine protesters who resent Iranian influence that fuels rampant corruption in Iraq would not join him. So Sadr unleashed the pro-Iran Iraqi forces that have killed the protesters for the last several months.
Sadr has clearly signaled that he sides with Iran. And he could easily be the public local face of Iranian control of Iraq.
I'd follow Sadr as closely as we followed the movements of Iran's al Quds leader Soleimani. Just in case.
UPDATE: The anti-corruption protesters defied Sadr:
Hundreds of anti-government protesters flooded the streets of Iraq's capital and southern provinces on Sunday, defying a powerful Iraqi religious leader who recently withdrew his support from the popular movement.
Security forces fired tear gas and live rounds to disperse the crowds from the capital's Khilani Square, medical and security officials said. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.
At least 22 demonstrators were reported wounded by Iraqi security forces, as the street rallies continued to grow in size. ...
Many demonstrators chanted slogans against the populist preacher. The movement opposes Iraq's sectarian system and both U.S. and Iranian influence in Iraqi affairs.
I think anyone can see America is as eager to leave as Iran is to control Iraq. We stay to oppose Iran at this point as much as we stay to keep ISIL from rising up again.
