Sadr prepares for revolution, but what kind?

15.07.2016

Thousands of supporters of Moqtada al-Sadr took to the streets of Baghdad to protest against government policies and corruption in Iraq's leadership. Earlier, in April and May of this year, the Sadrists stormed the "green zone of Baghdad", where foreign embassies and governmental buildings are located. Experts believe that Moqtada al-Sadr seeks to improve his status in Iraqi politics.

The essence of Sadrism

The Sadrist movement is a Shiite socio-political structure that was initiated by the father of Moqtada al-Sadr's Grand Ayatollah Mohammed Sadeq al-Sadr. Appealing to the principles of social justice and relying on the poor Shiite, Mohammed Sadeq al-Sadr has created a network of cells across the country, united on the principles of mutual aid. Sadrists de facto created a parallel state with its system of redistribution of wealth and the provision of social benefits.

After the collapse of the state system in Iraq after the Anglo-American invasion in 2003, the Sadrists were the only viable structure that can take on the task of rebuilding the social infrastructure of Iraq.

Sadr created a paramilitary structure, "Mahdi Army", which launched military operations against the Western occupiers. In 2004, Sadr stopped an armed resistance after pressure exerted by the Shiite clergy in Iraq. Nevertheless, to this day there are the armed forces under his direction, which are called "Peace Brigade".

Conflict within the Shiite community

Protests in Iraq largely connected with internal divisions within the Shiite community as the Shiites make up the majority of the population. Even the father of Moqtada al-Sadr was in a difficult relationship with Ayatollah Al Al-Sistani. Later it was Sistan, who played a crucial role in the pacification of "Mahdi Army". He was one of the first who began to cooperate with the British and Americans. Now Sistani is the spiritual leader of Iraq's Shiites, and in fact has a decisive influence on the country's politics.

The Protests of Sadrists show that the conflict between Sadr and Sistani is not obsolete. The young and ambitious leader would like to have more influence in Iraqi politics, but for this it is necessary to change the entire system of the government. As the Sadrists insist on it, their demands include the resignation of the government, the president and the speaker of parliament, reforming the electoral commission, and the abolition of the system of ethnic and religious quotas. On the eve of Friday's protest, Sadr appeared in public in uniform, which can demonstrate that this time he is ready to take decisive action.

Hand of the West

As a result of this protest and the desire to come to power, Sadr may use the enemies of the unity of the Shiite world in order to undermine the already limited Iranian influence in Iraq. Sadr declaratively opposes Iranian intervention in the country's politics. His supporters shouted slogans "Iran, Barra Barra" (Iran out!). Western media is no longer demonising Sadr as they did before, and instead describe his demands as moderate and reasonable. All this testifies to the fact that Sadr and the Sadrists are active intelligence services of the West (US and UK).

At the same time however, there were reports about the visit of Sadr to Iran in May this year, which the Iranian side hastened to deny. Indirectly, it can serve as evidence that Sadr is trying to maneuver between Iran and the West.

Related links
The UN is to discuss the Iraqi Situation
Who are the Sadrists and what do they want?
The war in Syria and Iraq: the latest news
Why a million Iraqis killed in the US-UK war on Iraq are not worth mentioning
Moqtada al-Sadr
Sadrist movement
Iraq
Iraq protests
USA
Iran