al-Sadr

Representatives of al-Sadr have discouraged their members from turning out.

Iraqi PM issues warning ahead of scheduled protests 2011

Religious figures including anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr and the leader of Iraq's majority Shiite community also have raised doubts about the rally.

Iraqi PM issues warning ahead of scheduled protests 2011

Tens of thousands of Shiite militiamen belonging to al-Sadr's Mahdi Army militia and other supporters marched through the streets.

Gunmen kills Iraqi tasked with purging Saddamists 2011

Moreover, if the troops stay, al-Maliki risks a potentially violent backlash from the followers of the anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, who has galvanized grass roots support across Iraq by promising to drive out the U.S. military.

Suicide bombing kills 12 outside bank in Iraq 2011

Al-Lami's death came on the same day that followers of anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr staged a huge rally designed as a dramatic show of strength against any move to allow American forces to stay in Iraq past their Dec. 31 deadline.

Gunmen kills Iraqi tasked with purging Saddamists 2011

But to many Iraqis, al-Sadr and his Mahdi Army are little more than thugs blamed for some of the worst of the sectarian attacks during the insurgency.

Gunmen kills Iraqi tasked with purging Saddamists 2011

Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, whose powerful faction serves in Maliki's government, fiercely opposes any foreign troop presence in Iraq, a stance shared publicly by Iran.

Iraq needs U.S. trainers after troops leave: Zebari Reuters 2011

Muqtada al-Sadr and the Battle for the Future of Iraq

Henry’s Demons Patrick Cockburn 2011

Muqtada al-Sadr and the Battle for the Future of Iraq

Henry’s Demons Patrick Cockburn 2011

But the throngs on the street in Sadr City, a slum in eastern Baghdad that is an al-Sadr stronghold, was a stark warning to al-Maliki about what he risks if U.S. forces stay longer.

Gunmen kills Iraqi tasked with purging Saddamists 2011