Mahdi Army

The Mahdi Army is a Shiite paramilitary group in Iraq founded by radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr in June of 2003. Though the group formed in part to oppose the U.S. occupation of Iraq, they did not actually join the guerrilla attacks on American troops until April of 2004. The army entered a cease-fire in 2007, which it maintained until March, 2008. Efforts were made by Muqtada al-Sadr to extend the cease-fire in March, 2008, but the Iraqi government and United States forces did not accept his demands. Violence broke out between militias, including the Mahdi Army, and coalition forces in Basra and Baghdad on March 24, 2008. Since then, fighting has spread. al-Sadr had called for talks with the government but Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has refused. Instead he has pledged to battle the militias, which he refers to as "criminal gangs," until they are defeated. al-Maliki has also introduced a program to buyback weapons from militias until April 8, 2008.

1. Sometimes spelled "Mehdi Army"
2. Founded by Muqtada al-Sadr
3. Estimated to have 160,000 members
4. Fought the United States during the Battle of Najaf
5. The name "Mahdi" is thought to have apocalyptic connotations
6. Only an estimate half of the Mahdi Army remains under al-Sadr's control
7. Entered cease-fire agreement in August, 2008
8. Cease-fire was broken in March, 2008

• Topix.net: Mahdi Army
• Google News: Mahdi Army
• CNN: Deadly Sadr City clashes rage for second day (April 7, 2008)
• Al Jazeera: Iraq PM Offers Money for Arms (March 28, 2008)
• Bloomberg: U.S. Military Aircraft Drop Bombs on Militia Positions in Basra (March 28, 2008)
• San Jose Mercury: US Airstrike Kills at Least 4 in Baghdad (March 28, 2008)
• International Herald Tribune: Militia, Security Forces Clash Anew in Southern Cities (March 28, 2008)
• The Associated Press: Iraqi Spokesman Kidnapped in Baghdad (March 27, 2008)
• The Sydney Morning Herald: Sadr Militia Battle Troops in Four Iraqi Cities (March 26, 2008)
  • "Muqtada al-Sadr's militiamen Tuesday battled troops in four Iraqi cities...including the capital, as the hardline Shiite cleric threatened a countrywide campaign of civil revolt."
• Reuters: Iraqi forces fight Mehdi Army in Basra (March 25, 2008)
• The New York Times: Iraqi and U.S. Forces Battle Shiite Militia (March 25, 2008)
  • "Heavy fighting broke out Tuesday in Basra and Baghdad, after Iraqi ground forces and helicopters mounted a major operation in Basra against Shiite militias, including the Mahdi Army, whose months-long cease-fire is credited with reducing the level of violence during the troop surge."
• Al Jazeera: Iraqi Forces Battle Basra Militias (March 25, 2008)
• IC Publications: Mahdi Army: the Most Powerful Militia in Iraq (March 25, 2008)
• ABC News: Mahdi Army Cease-Fire Due to End (February 20, 2008)
• CNN: Iraqi militia to hear Saturday whether to resume fighting (February 20, 2008)
• AFP: Deal between key Iraq Shiite figures collapses (February 17, 2008)
• Reuters: Mehdi army leader in Basra Killed (May 25, 2007)
• Washington Post: Disavowed by Mahdi Army, Shadowy 'Butcher' Still... (August 25, 2006) WARNING: Pop-ups