Factbox-Who Is the Iraqi Shi’ite Cleric Muqtada Al-Sadr?

BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Protesters stormed the Swedish embassy in Baghdad on Thursday and set it on hearth in protest towards the anticipated burning of a Koran in Sweden.

The demonstration was known as by supporters of Muqtada al-Sadr, 48, an influential Shi’ite cleric who instructions the loyalty of a whole lot of 1000’s of Iraqis.

Listed here are some details on Sadr.

– He rose to prominence after the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. He fashioned a militia that fought U.S. troops. He led two anti-U.S. revolts, prompting the Pentagon to name his Mehdi Military militia the most important risk to Iraq’s safety.

In Iraq’s sectarian 2006-2008 civil conflict, the Mehdi Military was accused of forming dying squads that kidnapped and killed Sunni Muslims. Sadr disavowed violence towards fellow Iraqis.

In 2008, after clashing with the Iraqi military, he disbanded the Mehdi Military, renaming it the Peace Brigades.

– He’s the son of revered Grand Ayatollah Mohammed Sadeq al-Sadr, who was assassinated in 1999 after brazenly criticising then-dictator Saddam Hussein. His father’s cousin, Mohammed Baqir, was additionally killed by Saddam, in 1980. Sadr wears the black turban of a sayyid – somebody recognised as a descendent of the Prophet Mohammad.

– Sadr has opposed Iranian affect in Iraq, setting him other than different Shi’ite leaders who’ve shut ties to Tehran. He has additionally known as for the departure of the final remaining U.S. troops in Iraq.

– His motion has been a significant drive in Iraqi politics, profitable essentially the most seats in a 2018 legislative election and once more in 2021. Following that vote, he tried to kind an administration with out his Iran-backed rivals, however was thwarted.

In August 2022, he introduced his departure from politics, prompting supporters to storm a authorities palace in Baghdad and battle with rival teams in lethal violence.

While Sadr has stayed on the sidelines, his supporters proceed to carry many prime jobs within the state paperwork.

– He has a monitor document of mobilising supporters within the streets, together with in 2019, once they joined anti-corruption protests that toppled a authorities led by pro-Iranian events. In 2022, amid tensions together with his Iran-backed rivals, Sadr’s supporters staged a sit-in within the Baghdad parliament.

– He has continued to have interaction his followers in spiritual occasions. In June, he known as for protests towards Sweden and the expulsion of the Swedish ambassador after the Koran burning in Stockholm by an Iraqi man.

(Compiled by Tom Perry; Enhancing by Angus MacSwan)

Copyright 2023 Thomson Reuters.