Muqtada Al-Sadr Announces He’s Retiring From Leadership Of Sadrist Movement, Sequestering Himself

From MEMRI.

The leader of the Shi'ite Sadrists in Iraq, Muqtada Al-Sadr, has announced in a letter to his followers that he is stepping down from his position, distancing himself from people, and focusing on his studies. He explained that he was doing so because he had failed in carrying out his father's will to liberate Iraq from the occupation and turning its people into believing Muslims.

This statement from Sadr will have far reaching ramifications.

While Sadr instructed followers to continue to obey his committee, the lack of a central figure will undoubted cause the movement to fracture even more than it already is, jeopardizing his ceasefire order. Baha al-Araji, a former Sadr spokesman and member of the Iraq Parliament, has been very vocal in his opposition to Sadr's continued ceasefire.

Additionally, an interesting linkage is also present with Sadr's recent "food poisoning" where he was transferred to an Iranian hospital under life-threatening conditions. He was apparently worked on by Russian doctors.

Finally, does any linkage exist between Mugniyah's recent death and Sadr stepping down. Mugniyah was well known for building Hezbollah in the past and more currently restructuring the Mahdi Army.

One also has to wonder whether Sadr has really stepped down from head of the Mahdi Army or is just preparing for the day when he can return to lead the Mahdi Army as a full ayatollah after finishing his studies in Iran.

Whatever the truth behind his stepping down, this situation bears continued obsevation.