Why is Muqtada Al Sadr quitting Iraqi politics? | Inside Story

After days of violent protests and fighting, Shiite leader Muqtada Al Sadr has called on his supporters to leave Baghdad's Green Zone.
The unrest was triggered by him announcing he's quitting politics.
Dozens of people died when Sadr's supporters battled Iraqi security forces and rival Shiite factions near government buildings and embassies.
Sadr is one of Iraq's most influential figures, so is there another reason for Sadr's announcement?
Presenter: Nick Clark
Guests:
Ahmed Rushdi - Senior foreign policy adviser to the Iraqi parliament
Bilal Wahab - Wagner fellow, Washington Institute
Zeidon Alkinani - Non-resident fellow, Arab Center Washington, DC
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#News #InsideStory #Iraq #Sadr #Iraqi #Shia #politics #baghdad

[@Ali-wm2pe]

For you, Muqtada, for you, for you, Muqtada

[@MiC-T]

Nobody loves Iraq more than Muqtada al-Sadr. He is the definition of a patriot.

[@PAPA_PLAYER3000]

Hello brother, plz can you share your insta, I am ALI, a small mohibban e ALI as ibne Abitalib as from 🇮🇳 INDIA

[@zakariaghazy4685]

he is a coward and a traitor

[@LordDirus007]

As an American, I can respect him. He isn't just some Crazy Terrorist Islamist. He always placed the good of his People and Iraq first. Sure he fought us, however he recognized fighting the US served no purpose as the new US Created Iraq Government is Shia Dominated. So it was a good thing the US got rid of Saddam. It gave his people more Political Representation. Most Importantly, he is a Nationalist. He doesn't just bow down to Iran because they are Shia to.

[@zoroiraqi5671]

I think these qualities relate to you. ​@@zakariaghazy4685

[@TheDandyFella]

@@LordDirus007 I’m iraqi, Al-Sadr is a militiaman and please don’t trust any militia group here in iraq. They murdered thousands of innocent civilians during the war and they’re still doing so.

[@Abman31]

To see 👀 such a revered leader in 2022 is mind boggling. Respect 🙌 to this man !!

[@SteveSteve-jj5dz]

Yea I see Iraqi are ungreatfull country . Am a former army soldier who went to Iraq .this man is the main reason why left Iraqi and y'all treat him like this

[@kingsman3087]

WW1: 116 000 WW2:405 400 Korea war: 38 680 Vietnam war: 58 220 Afghanistan war: 2300 Iraq war: 4500

[@waalidkagabdhihiisaguddaah63]

He wanted to resign but his supporter are not allowing him, They love him😂

[@Baraz_Red]

I respect that he clearly demands that the violent factions that support him cease fire and leave, otherwise he will renounce any form of leadership. Now, asking for all the parliamentarians from his party to just leave the parliament was a dangerous move, since it leaves a minority as the default government and creates a power vacuum. I understand his logic, asking for new elections, but the risk of political violence was there.

[@user-qo9qz5vr7w]

Long live Iraq and long live Muqtada Al-Sadr, the Henna of all the Christians of death

[@user-dt5dg6qv3c]

are you Iraqi

[@user-qo9qz5vr7w]

@@user-dt5dg6qv3c Yes Iraqi and they are Aqili😂

[@mclovin1071]

This is so sad, what do people expect to achieve with violence? Peace and tranquility? They fight for a dream that they can't live up to themselves. May God bring peace to these lands.

[@brentmonkhouse6638]

War is the result of failure by politicians

[@javierharth3647]

That's a tall order, even for God!!

[@pythondre]

First time with islam?

[@TheUneducatedTeacher]

Destroy the country and then blame. kick rocks

[@JABelms]

@@pythondre Wrong. DeMoCrAtIc InTeRvEnTiOn Love:USA

[@michaelcrouch8783]

Maybe Al Sadr how's the great to be compassionate and call off his supporters from committing civil war because he's wise

[@user-dl1fv7rf9g]

Well done Leader Muqtada al-Sadr Hakim

[@MsDboyy]

Hey Al Jazeera I don’t know if you’re gonna read this comment or not but there is a very high-pitched sound throughout this video that’s in the background I hope you can fix it in the future so that it’s not in more videos the sound was kind of annoying

[@DavidGatto]

It would appear he was attempting to avoid factional violence.

[@willbusn5683]

Irak needs good leaders with plan .forget iran and america.irak have enough capable educated people.but unfortunately the corrupted incompetent are leading the country.looking after their own interests.shame

[@laithageel6871]

Yea

[@rahatzaman8120]

Living in Bangladesh .. where firearms are totally banned .. it looks wierd to see random people running on the streets holding AKs and RPGs . From where Arab people get thier guns ? Bazaar ?

[@bindasguy3666]

yes, knife, and pistol is ok, but if there are AK47 then there is trouble

[@Al-Shaheedi]

Ever heard of smuggling?

[@rahatzaman8120]

@@bindasguy3666 knives are common but we cant even get pistols that easily .

[@rahatzaman8120]

@@Al-Shaheedi yes I did .. are you Arab btw ? I asked this because I've seen videos .... bazars for arms and ammunitions .. from Pak afghan frontier or Somalia etc . Not all nations have strict gun laws .

[@Sonofiraq24]

You’re funny guy You just buy the gun from the gun store

[@michaelcrouch8783]

Maybe Al Sadr is actually a holy man that got caught up in politics and the stress has confused him you must hand it to Al Sadr

[@rahatzaman8120]

I think he is a pious one . He is not liking these bloodshed . This speech was a wise one .

[@ShahidulIslam-sq7lb]

Big Terrorist

[@Sally-zu8wo]

Yes, he is a holy man who wants goodness and peace for Iraq

[@kasper7203]

As an outsider, I must say I have no clue as to what is going on in Iraq anymore.

[@MM-tw7pu]

What the Americans did in Iraq and Libya is going on…destabilize and destroy nations so you can exploit

[@kasper7203]

@@MM-tw7pu I'm South African.. As far as I know we can't even exploit our own resources, nvm resources from other nations.

[@bailey5234]

It's for the best, civil war is coming

[@banjopete]

So you did understand it at some time?😊

[@kasper7203]

@@banjopete I understand a little about the Saddam Hussein era. After that I have no idea what is going on anymore.

[@hasselnttper3730]

That's one helluva demonstration. They even got RPGs! I wonder how many got hit in the face with backblast in those crowds...

[@rockersxop]

You don't know, there was a sniper shooting at them, and that's why they were shooting

[@ronrowhani8428]

He has quit 7 times before and it is nothing new. He is just lying.

[@Ali-wm2pe]

Your father's shoes, Abu Al-Khalafak, are like your mother's son, Ibn Al-Kahba

[@rakibkhansarkarshoelsarkar8039]

Beautiful job

[@soldier_Mu]

معشوق العالم كله ربـي يحفظك مـولاي 🫂❤

[@user-ol6pm4tk7l]

Muqtada al-Sadr is the crown of your head, O Americans

[@shemaiahsanders3183]

Salam brother it's harder for me I'm ah keep fighting for us

[@caseyodom3938]

You would think after years of death poverty people would want peace. It is just sad!

[@sgakm.manyida]

It's interesting to see what Al-Sadr gained, but... It would be impossible to make a new system successful in 20 years.

[@mostlypeacefulmisterputin]

Then why continue on this path? This current “system” is less than 20 years old, and has been put in place by western intelligence

[@mostlypeacefulmisterputin]

@LilLoon60nhkc Mutt 🤡 👟

[@mostlypeacefulmisterputin]

@LilLoon60nhkc посмотри на этого фальшивого маленького бандита-подражателя! Я бы заставил тебя схватиться за лодыжки, дорогая 😘

[@mostlypeacefulmisterputin]

@LilLoon60nhkc LilLoon 🤣🤣 Roll through, don’t be scared homie😉

[@tttuu3309]

This’s why dictating other nation what they should do is great mistakes because we live in a world with many cultures your way of doing things may not be the best way for the next guy

[@omarsamer504]

About time.

[@Baraz_Red]

It feels odd to call a group with guns and rockets, that they actually fire, "protesters". Where I come from, the term protesters is used specifically for non-violent actions.

[@user-mx5tn9pn9r]

There is something called armed resistance or armed movement.

[@Baraz_Red]

@@user-mx5tn9pn9r Yep. Those would be proper terms.

[@rockersxop]

Well, as an Iraqi people, all of them are proficient in weapons, and if the anger of the people combines with weapons, they will do whatever they want, just as they expelled America and ISIS. They can do anything, because every house and every street will have a person who owns a weapon and can carry it and make traps.

[@Baraz_Red]

@@rockersxop My point is only that we do not use the term protesters here when it is a group opening fire and using overt violence. It is just a language point.

[@Baraz_Red]

@@rockersxop Also, having weapons and being able to wage warfare does NOT mean people will naturally exert political violence in a democracy or if the rule of law is applied. Nothing indicates that this is normal Iraqi behavior. The same way Americans have tons of weapons, but people cannot harm or kill arbitrarily without being arrested.

[@sabajan8577]

This is the political game of Iran

[@user-im2cx2ue5h]

نعم ايران تحاول على ان تجعل العراق العضيم تابعا لها وهذا لن يحصل حتى في احلامهم يبقى العراق شامخا🇮🇶🙏🤍

[@Sm-ne8ff]

Maybe he fears for him and his familys wellbeing

[@umruayyarliesdestroyer]

His protesters were walked over the photos of iranian muula khameini

[@AntiMullahs]

I think its a move to show khamenei groups of his true power and he will retrun idk

[@Illyrian_Warrior]

He fears the day of judgement my brother, he is a real Muslim.

[@SteveSteve-jj5dz]

He defended iraq

[@ramooyeido1772]

its about either iraq is fully controlled by iran followers in iraq, or an independent iraq that has equilibrium in power betweeen those who are with iran and those who oppose them like sadr however whom are not really against iran but are against the full control and interference of iran in iraq internal and external affairs.

[@amiralavy4431]

People like you only want several war in Iraq. .you have sick mind.

[@kylestewart4795]

I have some questions regarding Islamic law and war. Is it true that modern countries follow Muhammad's rules of war against transgression and targeting civilians? Did Muhammad say word for word not to harm non combatants and innocent civilians or did he just say women and children? Does Saudi Arabia follow the kitab at tawheed and not the Quran? Is Wahhabism different with 9/11? What does the kitab at tawheed say that allows them to attack civilians and aggress against yemens? If the Quran forbids aggression then why are Syrians fighting for Russia? What about what turkey was doing? Is there any way you could send me a sheet on Islamic law as well as saudi wahhabi law? Please get back to me as soon as possible, thanks.

[@user-zq8wf6qs4u]

I am an Iraqi and a lover of the great Iran, which terrorized America and European countries 🇮🇶🇮🇷

[@ramooyeido1772]

@@user-zq8wf6qs4u are you against even economic ties with the US and European countries and innocent civilians from US and Europe? I dont think so, so you mean you are only against like a big military presence because you are against wars happening anytime between them and other countries in your country and against attacking you guys? because the words you used seem like broad and like negative and as if you guys were the ones whom are attacking their countries and invading them

[@rockersxop]

​@@kylestewart4795Saudi Arabia is a terrorist. I am from Iraq, and most of ISIS was one of them. They make excuses for every missile they throw at Houthi in Yemen.

[@daviddalby9699]

Trible. Never stops

[@damurichannel]

Long live Iran Iraq relationship 🇮🇶❤️🇮🇷

[@Ali-wm2pe]

No, they see

[@user-mx5tn9pn9r]

دكل تبن انت وإيران

[@JinKee]

They chanted Muqtada's name at Saddam's execution, look at al Sadr now.

[@CHMichael]

This could have been a report from 20y ago. What a giant waste of life's and money all this was.

[@walidar1729]

This is the Game of Iran sataan

[@cozysleep6233]

How is she reporting when the rudaw Kurdish channel on the left top reported first , what a shame AL jazerra

[@ammonioussaccas]

Protest? When did protesting involve shooting machine guns and RPG’s?

[@ghulamhussainbadruddinshah1325]

God bless Muqtada

[@itk7669]

@@kylestewart4795 أنه مسلم تريد نقاش؟

[@Ali-wm2pe]

Thank you

[@thetruthhurts922]

Because he knows that he will not live long if he keep on his policy in iraq

[@nawar166]

he's a lair, he will never quit as he gets a lot of money of that

[@amirmohammadsadraie9545]

It's shameful how easily the Iraqi government buildings being occupied in the uprising. I think this kind of things will motivate ISIS

[@user-tn4qw5yr6o]

ديانتهم خطئ📿

[@user-tn4qw5yr6o]

@@kylestewart4795 الدين الوحيد عند محمد وآل محمد الطاهرين الأشراف

[@bunbee4201]

Its just time for him to go, daddy america and iran told him

[@testaments9733]

Iran is back

[@hbtTwo]

he will rejoin soon, hes an unjust leader

[@yonibecerro4216]

the last true Iraqui Leader is gone, Iraq is dead , i guess it will be part of the new xerxes khameini empire , RIP Iraq like urr, lagash, babylon, assyria, chaldea , hasta la vista Iraq

[@Illyrian_Warrior]

Hahahahaha, brother, you should have listened to your leader, this man Sadr is a real believer, he fears the day of judgement, he doesn't care about position in this life.

[@hattusilli2225]

The people is the ultimate power .

[@amiralavy4431]

I wish mogtda was little like was his father

[@amiralavy4431]

@@kylestewart4795 I don't know I am not religious.

[@subutai999]

Was his father strong leader? Where can i read about him

[@user-bp2bp1xv9f]

​@@subutai999yes , he was strong leader in kofa that city of imam ali and center of hawza study ' he call to do collective prays and attacked the ruler system and USA policy and israil, u can read more about him.. His name is mohmed mohmed sadeq alsader

[@user-zq1wj4to4u]

His father, Mr. Muhammad al-Sadr, is a scientist, religious authority, and philosopher. He has many theories. He opposed the theory of the speed of light and many theories. He wrote more than 100 books and was an opponent. Nidham Saddam Hussein was preaching in Najaf at the Kufa Mosque, and hundreds of thousands were attending his speech on Friday, and more than 20 Christian families converted to Islam because of him. He was killed by Saddam Hussein in 2/19/1999. After his killing, a revolution broke out against Saddam Hussein and 4 provinces fell at the hands of the revolutionaries, and hundreds of Nidham’s men were killed in that. Time and weeks after the revolution, Saddam Hussein was able to control the governorates.​@@subutai999

[@Mokke121]

Iraq is such a mess

[@sartajaziz5930]

I wonder who destabilized Iraq...

[@tayyabacheema4055]

Its your country problem why blaming iran?

[@mohamedelmi6860]

Are you ok, of course Iran runs Iraq, Syria, Labanan, Yaman and wherever there is Shia community. Your so-called Taqiya won't work here!

[@alexcholagh8330]

restore the baath party

[@tayyabkhan2228]

dig saddam up from his grave!

[@safehandsprojects]

Muqtada al Sadar is naive. He should learn from Hassan Nasrallah

[@htxhallitronix1569]

Thank you America for bringing peace and democracy!

[@rockersxop]

Hahahaha after they were expelled and after they wanted to arrest Sadr and then make their graves in Wadi Salam hahaha there are corpses still

[@scotty101ire]

Cats in bag never achieve anything never stop fighting,

[@yonibecerro4216]

iran has taken over syria , lebanon , Gaza, yemen and now Iraq,,, a new persian empire, sayonara Iraq RIP 🙏 😢

[@kasper7203]

I think this conflict shows that Iran might not really have the influence western media reports it does in Iraq.

[@claudiam.esoteristamaestro5258]

the important thing that you do not break up in Italy for us you are all the same you are obsessed with Islam for you it is most important of all, in Europe you are already breaking up . The taqyya does not work in Italy ..... We are more awake we do not care. Poor Sweden is not strong commanded by these people !!!

[@yonibecerro4216]

@@claudiam.esoteristamaestro5258 AKBAR ALLAH

[@yonibecerro4216]

I'm a Muslim MexicanAmerican 🇹🇳

[@claudiam.esoteristamaestro5258]

@@yonibecerro4216 . everyone has the religion they want. the important thing is not to command others !!! I'm not going to command in the Middle East !!! Sweden is invaded !!! poor Sweden. I speak as an Italian in solidarity with Northern Europe .And to think that you were polytheists old polytheistic American religion .I am a pagan polytheist 🌕🌙 🌲🌊🌬️🔥 👁️ 🦉

[@Hydrocodone99]

Ethan?

[@zakzeus.shuufHunaak]

Ameen. Because he is a shiyah. Taking people further away from islam.

[@user-dt5dg6qv3c]

O Ali

[@rubelahamed1831]

Shofar

[@kylestewart4795]

I have some questions regarding Islamic law and war. Is it true that modern countries follow Muhammad's rules of war against transgression and targeting civilians? Did Muhammad say word for word not to harm non combatants and innocent civilians or did he just say women and children? Does Saudi Arabia follow the kitab at tawheed and not the Quran? Is Wahhabism different with 9/11? What does the kitab at tawheed say that allows them to attack civilians and aggress against yemens? If the Quran forbids aggression then why are Syrians fighting for Russia? What about what turkey was doing? Is there any way you could send me a sheet on Islamic law as well as saudi wahhabi law? Please get back to me as soon as possible, thanks.

[@81forever50]

I love you ❤ 😁

[@laopang91362]

What we see is an example of forced democracy by foreign/external players.

[@jamallagazelle2777]

Rest in peace Sadam Hussein Allah loves you ❤️ Your enemies are still suffering.

[@michha6145]

So Allah loves mass murderers?? What kind of God do you have ?.

[@amiralavy4431]

Sadam husain was crazy man.

[@kingsman3087]

fun facts US military war fatalities WW1: 116 000 WW2:405 400 Korea war: 38 680 Vietnam war: 58 220 Afghanistan war: 2370 Iraq war: 4500

[@hattusilli2225]

Sadr, for him there's still alot to witness .

[@mohammedalrashed1132]

May Allah have mercy on those he killed

[@lonewolf_bbmq]

Americans are just now finding out Iraq had a leader 🇺🇲🇺🇲🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@mostlypeacefulmisterputin]

Iraq hasn’t had a “leader” since Saddam! Anyone who knows anything about how these things work, knows that it’s western puppets who are really pulling the strings

[@okacet9412]

Great.

[@akmalbruhaha4658]

Americans barely know what going on outside USA. Most Americans aren't educated though.

[@willbusn5683]

Muktada sader is coward.he left his followers to their fate. He didn't have plan just. rhetoric .

[@siezer0]

Exactly that’s what happened

[@kararal-shimary7870]

He barely can speak proper Arabic 😂

[@alwehdathebestfc3576]

It’s an Iraqi accent

[@kylestewart4795]

@@alwehdathebestfc3576 I have some questions regarding Islamic law and war. Is it true that modern countries follow Muhammad's rules of war against transgression and targeting civilians? Did Muhammad say word for word not to harm non combatants and innocent civilians or did he just say women and children? Does Saudi Arabia follow the kitab at tawheed and not the Quran? Is Wahhabism different with 9/11? What does the kitab at tawheed say that allows them to attack civilians and aggress against yemens? If the Quran forbids aggression then why are Syrians fighting for Russia? What about what turkey was doing? Is there any way you could send me a sheet on Islamic law as well as saudi wahhabi law? Please get back to me as soon as possible, thanks.

[@kylestewart4795]

I have some questions regarding Islamic law and war. Is it true that modern countries follow Muhammad's rules of war against transgression and targeting civilians? Did Muhammad say word for word not to harm non combatants and innocent civilians or did he just say women and children? Does Saudi Arabia follow the kitab at tawheed and not the Quran? Is Wahhabism different with 9/11? What does the kitab at tawheed say that allows them to attack civilians and aggress against yemens? If the Quran forbids aggression then why are Syrians fighting for Russia? What about what turkey was doing? Is there any way you could send me a sheet on Islamic law as well as saudi wahhabi law? Please get back to me as soon as possible, thanks.

[@darnneljones6954]

*Sadr! Sadr! Sadr!* 🇮🇶🇮🇶🇮🇶 He is playing the media like a fine tuned fiddle! 17

[@surojeetchatterjee]

He looks a refined politician though rather than a religious cleric. 😜

[@lincolnjafri7189]

Muqtada is agent of saudis

[@mossadagent9582]

This guy is Shia and practicing Taqqiya...he will be back into politics...just wait and see.

[@mossadagent9582]

@@kylestewart4795 Quran 9: 29 FIGHT those who believe not in Allah nor the last day nor hold that which hath been forbidden by Allah and his messenger nor acknowledged the religion of Truth from amongst the people of the Book (ie Jews and Christians) UNTIL they PAY the JIZYA with willing SUBMISSION.

[@mossadagent9582]

@@kylestewart4795 Fyi... whenever Muhammad attacked his enemies he would kill all the men (and boys who have public hairs) and enslaved the women and children. SAHIH ALBUKHARI 2541 SAHIH AL-BUKHARI 4200

[@mossadagent9582]

@@kylestewart4795 JAMI AT-TIRMIDHI 1583

[@mossadagent9582]

@@kylestewart4795 What is out of context Idiot??

[@mohammedalrashed1132]

He did this about 7 times before.

[@brucebenaissa1759]

Get out America From Iraq