AP: Iraq Panel Concerned Over Al-Sadr's Army

[Eugene]

Associated Press
Iraq Panel Concerned Over Al-Sadr's Army
By KATHERINE SHRADER 12.07.06, 4:37 PM ET

The Iraq Study Group's grim report embraces the most worrisome estimates
about Muqtada al-Sadr's private army: He has as many as 60,000 fighters,
and his followers are planted throughout the security forces protecting
the Health Ministry and other Iraqi government institutions. Making
matters worse, the high-level panel believes the cleric himself may not
be able to manage the diverse and growing parts of his network known
as the Mahdi army.

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In 2005 al-Sadr had less than 10,000 fighters, but the new report puts that
figure now at as many as 60,000 - or three fighters loyal to al-Sadr for
every seven U.S. soldiers in the country. The latest estimate is believed
to include a dedicated core as well as part-time fighters.

-snip-

Showing al-Sadr's deep infiltration into the government, the report found
that Iraqis loyal to him dominate the 145,000-strong Facilities Protection
Service, which guards the ministries of Health, Agriculture and Transportation
- all controlled by al-Sadr's political allies. While providing jobs and money
for the Mahdi army, the protective service has questionable loyalty to the
civilian government, the report said.

-snip-

The Mahdi army is only one of the problems facing the U.S. in Iraq.

-snip-

Full article: http://www.forbes.com/home/feeds/ap/2006/12/07/ap3237568.html

The article goes on to detail other problems facing Iraq besides al-Sadr.