Sadr Delivers an Ultimatum to U.S.

Staff / Truthdig Apr 9, 2011 Moqtada al-Sadr is back, issuing an ultimatum to American troops and contractors: Leave Iraq by the end of the year or he will revive his Mehdi Army and relaunch attacks on the United States' post-withdrawal presence in the country. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Sadr’s Dark Warning

Patrick Cockburn / Truthdig Apr 22, 2008 The militia leader's threat of an "open war" between his supporters and the U.S.-backed Iraqi government has ratcheted up tensions in Basra and Baghdad. [In this analysis, columnist Patrick Cockburn of The Independent looks into the current situation in light of Sadr's history with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.] Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Oh, Right, There’s That Whole ‘War’ Thing

Staff / Truthdig Mar 30, 2008 OK, John McCain, still "fine" with the U.S. staying in Iraq for another 100 years? And as for the Democratic presidential hopefuls, how does the whole troop withdrawal scenario change in light of the outbreak of heavy fighting in Basra this week? These are just a couple of the questions that couldn't be more timely -- or pressing -- on the campaign trail this weekend. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Iraq Exploding as Shiite Fights Shiite

Patrick Cockburn / Truthdig Mar 27, 2008 A new civil war may be looming in Iraq as American-backed Iraqi government forces battle Shiite militiamen for control of Basra and parts of Baghdad. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Iraqi Troops Step Up Fighting in Basra

Staff / Truthdig Mar 25, 2008 Iraqi forces on Tuesday launched an offensive targeting Shiite militia groups in the southern city of Basra, where at least 30 deaths are reported to have occurred in the operation, as well as in other regions of the country. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

U.S. Targets Sadr’s Militia

Staff / Truthdig Jan 23, 2007 The U.S. military says a series of 52 operations over 45 days led to the capture of some 600 militants and 16 leaders of Moqtada al-Sadr's Mahdi Army. With some estimates placing the size of the Shiite militia at 60,000, that leaves only 59,384 to go. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )