I'LL BE BACK WHEN THE DIRTY WORK IS DONE:

Iraqi cleric Sadr explains long absence to followers (Reuters, 3/07/08)

Sadr, who the U.S. military believes is in Iran, said he had chosen to isolate himself to concentrate on his studies and to distance himself from groups that had splintered from his movement and developed their own political agendas. "Many whom we believed were good followers are not listening to or obeying the instructions of their religious leaders and they are involved in political conflicts," he said. "Many followers have split from me for many reasons, some of them want to be independent. This does not mean there are not loyal followers," he added.

The U.S. military has in the past questioned how much influence Sadr exerts over his movement. Most recently, it has praised Sadr's call for the ceasefire and said it is targeting rogue Mehdi Army units that have ignored it.

Made easier by his diming them out. Of course he doesn't want to be there as we act on the tips.

Posted by Orrin Judd at March 7, 2008 8:43 AM