Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Sadr City residents concerned about al-Sadr's return
Security, Politics
(Gulf News) - After more than a week of the Shiite leader Moqtada Al Sadr's re-emergence, it seems that parts of a Shiite slum in Baghdad are concerned about his return. People's anxiety has grown after the kidnapping of five Britons from the Iraqi Finance Ministry building in Palestine Street close to the Shiite neighbourhood of Sadr City where Mahdi Army militants are fortified. The abduction led to a joint Iraqi-American and British security operation against the district. The armed clashes have expanded to the southern province of Diwaniya.
Hamza, a citizen of Sadr City, told Gulf News, "Frankly, we do not want trouble in the city because people are distressed and stop their work everyday due to the security imposed by American forces, besides American helicopter raids claiming the lives of many civilians." He added, "Al Sadr's statements are patriotic yet they escalate the confrontation with Americans and make conditions in the neighbourhood very difficult and miserable."
According to statistics released by the Iraqi Health Ministry, raids by American warplanes continued every night since the outset of the security plan and each raid destroys two houses and kills at least eight civilians per day in the Al Sadr neighbourhood, which is inhabited by more than two million people who live under the poverty level.
Rahim, who lives in the Hay Al Khaleej district, said: "I live in a neighbourhood known for its allegiance to the Mahdi Army and most of its young people, including myself, are involved in this army. After the return of Moqtada Al Sadr, I noticed my mother's concern every time I leave the house."
Hamza, a citizen of Sadr City, told Gulf News, "Frankly, we do not want trouble in the city because people are distressed and stop their work everyday due to the security imposed by American forces, besides American helicopter raids claiming the lives of many civilians." He added, "Al Sadr's statements are patriotic yet they escalate the confrontation with Americans and make conditions in the neighbourhood very difficult and miserable."
According to statistics released by the Iraqi Health Ministry, raids by American warplanes continued every night since the outset of the security plan and each raid destroys two houses and kills at least eight civilians per day in the Al Sadr neighbourhood, which is inhabited by more than two million people who live under the poverty level.
Rahim, who lives in the Hay Al Khaleej district, said: "I live in a neighbourhood known for its allegiance to the Mahdi Army and most of its young people, including myself, are involved in this army. After the return of Moqtada Al Sadr, I noticed my mother's concern every time I leave the house."
Labels: Mahdi Army, Moqtada Al-Sadr, Sadr City
