We found another bad guy in the middle east: Al-Sardr

[bigdarryl]

can someone explain to me what has he done to be a bad guy all of a sudden

[Sparkly]

1. Not all of a sudden

We've alternately threatened him, fought, made deals, backed away, gone back, etc. etc. etc... Meanwhile, he's gained strength and his power can't just be dismissed, nor can his followers just be shot one after another.

(Edit: typo)

[HuffleClaw]

9. they've kept him in the bullpen warming up for a long time now

could have killed him ages ago too, but they NEED a replacement villain from time to time

[sandnsea]

2. From day one

Perhaps you recall the cleric that was murdered at the very beginning of the war. Al Sadr was involved in that. He is a difficult character.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A36436-2004May18.html

[The Watchman]

3. He was the orignal insurgant

long before bush banterd "al-qauda in iraq" around as the enemy, a man was our sworn enemy the day we puts boots in Iraq. some in the administration laughably called him a "saddam loyalist" when he began the first wave of insurgancy back in 2003, but he is now the most powerful man in Iraq, largely because we killed his enemies. Saddam was the biggest obstacal between the Al-Sadr family and the seat of power in Iraq... this Pro-Iran, Islamic fundamentalist will inshine islamic law once he takes over.


Be Vigilant.

[Lord Byron]

4. Al-Sadr is no saint. He terrorizes Sunni Muslims

Sunnis in many parts of Iraq live in terror due to his gangs. I've read (though from disreputable sources) that he deals in amphetamines and heroin and supplies many of his recruits with hashish. I would take this with a grain of salt, but I watched a documentary this weekend called "Blood of my Brother" in which the Mahdi Army recruits look massively stoned.

He doesn't seem like a nice guy. It's a fact that Sunnis face a difficult road ahead.

[Lord Byron]

5. For the record

And for the record: I don't support escalation.

I'm new here, but have been lurking for months.

[ellisonz]

8. Welcome to DU!

There are no saints in Iraq or the Middle East or the world despite what some would hear would have you believe:hi:

Al-Sadr was born with an evil look out on his face straight out of the womb, just like Mr. All Hat No Cattle Himself. :evilgrin:

[bemildred]

6. He wants us out, and he has power, that is why. nt

[SanCristobal]

7. He's been a dangerous source of violence and instability since the war began.

Sadr's been a major problem for the Iraq from the beginning, and should have been dealt with years ago when he was much weaker. Read Bremer's book, he goes into detail about the Coalitions failure to neutralize the threat Sadr posses. It's a great book for anyone interested in diplomacy or Iraq, at least once you get around the adoring narrative he goes into when ever he meets with Bush (actually they're kind of funny to read).