Top Al-Sadr Aide Captured
BAGHDAD, Iraq, Jan. 19, 2007 — -- The U.S. military may finally be starting to crack down on what is perhaps the most significant obstacle to American goals in Iraq.
The arrest of a top aide to Muqtada al-Sadr early this morning in eastern Baghdad may mark the beginning of President Bush's vow to root out violent militia activity in Iraq -- by both Sunni and Shiite groups.
Sadr, the radical Shiite cleric and head of the Mahdi army, told an Italian newspaper that his spokesman, Sheik Abdul-Hadi al-Darraji, had been detained during a morning raid in Baghdad. Now, Sadr said, he actually fears for his own life.
The cleric, who until now has operated with little interference, claimed that he refuses to sleep in the same bed twice, fearing that he will be targeted by military forces.
The U.S. military would not reveal the detainee's identity but confirmed that joint American and Iraqi forces had arrested a "high-level" leader in Baladiyat, a neighborhood near Sadr City, Sadr's stronghold.
"Iraqi forces detained him based on credible intelligence that he is the leader of illegal armed group punishment committee activity, involving the organized kidnapping, torture and murder of Iraqi civilians," the U.S. military said in a statement.
ABC News has learned that Darraji is one of at least five high-ranking Sadr aides who have been arrested in a series of pinpointed raids executed over the last several days. Up to 420 militia fighters and more than 50 operatives of Sadr's army have also been arrested.
Jamal al-Sudani, a cleric known for claiming responsibility for the dead left in Baghdad streets, is also reportedly among those arrested.
In response, one Sadr aide has called for the cleric's followers to flood the streets until Darraji, Sudani and the other detainees are freed. Sadr, however, told the Italian newspaper La Republica that his militias would not fight back during the Muslim holy month of Muharram, which begins this weekend.
"Let them kill us. For a true believer there is no better moment than this to die: Heaven is ensured," Sadr was quoted as saying. "After Muharram, we'll see."
When Bush announced his plan to increase American forces in Iraq by 21,500 troops last week, he also vowed to curb militia activity, particularly in the most violent sections of Baghdad.
That effort would require help from Iraqi forces, Bush said, and he restricted the Iraqi government from sheltering any militias -- including members of Sadr's group.
This would be a significant shift for Shiite Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Until now, the prime minister has not only resisted going after Sadr's army, but has asked the U.S. military to release captured militiamen tied to the influential cleric, who has provided Maliki with valuable political support.
But under increasing pressure from American leaders, Maliki apparently has changed course, pledging to rein in Shiite militias as well as Sunni insurgents who target Iraqis and Americans.
"The new security plan does not target a specific militia, it targets everyone practicing killing and terrorism against civilians, whether Sunnis or Shiites," said Sadiq al-Rikabi, adviser to Maliki.
Still, Rabiki also said that the Iraqi government was unaware of the new raids, and said they are not part of any new joint operation -- like the one promised by Bush -- to quell the sectarian violence ripping Baghdad apart.