Moqtada al-Sadr Extends Ceasefire

Some of the best possible news came out of Iraq-Nam on Friday. Hojatoleslam Moqtada al-Sadr extended the ceasefire that his Madhi Army has been observing for the last six months. He has ordered his militia to keep their weapons holstered for another six months.

The International Crisis Group earlier this month issued a report on Iraq-Nam, the surge and the Sadrist ceasefire. The executive summary begins, “The dramatic decline in bloodshed in Iraq – at least until last week’s terrible market bombings in Baghdad – is largely due to Muqtada [transliterations into Roman characters vary] al-Sadr’s August 2007 unilateral ceasefire. Made under heavy US and Iraqi pressure and as a result of growing discontent from his own Shiite base, Muqtada’s decision to curb his unruly movement was a positive step.” The US can claim the surge brought more security, but that is only marginally true.

Now, the world gets additional time to squander or to use wisely. Hazim al-Aaraji, a spokesman for the Hojatoleslam, read out a statement at Friday services in northern Baghdad which included the words (translated by the Associated Press), “According to an order by Sayyid Muqtada, activities of the Mahdi Army will be extended ... for another six month period.”

The US military, which has held discussions with the Sadrists for some time now, issued a statement that said, “This extension ... is an important commitment that can broadly contribute to further improvements in security for all Iraqi citizens. It will also foster a better opportunity for national reconciliation ... We also welcome an opportunity to participate in dialogue with the Sadr [movement] and all groups who seek to bring about reconciliation in building the new Iraq.”

Not everyone is happy, though. Amer al-Moussawi, a Mahdi Army warrior in the Shi’ite holy city of Najaf, told Reuters, “We knew there would be an extension of the freeze, but we thought it would be for a shorter period and we expected to be allowed to act in self-defense against US forces. Now, after this statement, we can’t defend ourselves.” Some might disobey the order, but most will go along with it. However, six months on, the message in the mosques may be different if the Green Zone government wastes the time it has been given.

© Copyright 2008 by The Kensington Review, Jeff Myhre, PhD, Editor. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent. Produced using Fedora Linux.

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