Iraq: Closing the Sadrist movement’s institutions … maneuver or withdrawal?

Ali Rajab

In a development that reflects congestion in the Iraqi political street, with the continued demonstrations and militia close to the mullahs ’regime in Iran demonstrating, the leader of the Sadrist movement, Muqtada al-Sadr, announced the closure of all institutions affiliated with the movement for a full year, with the exception of the institution of the shrine of“ Muhammad Sadr and his two sons.

The office of Muqtada al-Sadr said in a statement: “As directed by His Eminence the Leader, Muqtada Al-Sadr, all institutions affiliated with the Sadrist Line will be closed for a period of one year, with the exception of the Foundation of the Shrine of the Happy Martyr Sayyid Muhammad al-Sadr and his two sons, the private office, and the Peace Corps formations, and the general supervision of Friday prayers.

On December 7, the Al-Sadr house in Najaf was bombed with a mortar shell by a drone, as Al-Sadr does not hide its support for the demonstrations demanding the cessation of Iranian influence in the country.

It is also known that Sadr has complicated relations with Tehran, which he has repeatedly been criticized over the past years, but has never severed his relationship with Tehran, which he frequently visits.

What contributed to the decision to close the institutions are the unknown assassinations targeting the leaders of the Sadrist movement and not only Muqtada. The son of Jaafar al-Moussawi, a spokesman for Muqtada al-Sadr, was subjected to an assassination attempt in Baghdad on Friday, December 13, when he was wounded, after unidentified gunmen attacked his car with bullets.

The closure of the Sadrist movement, which is a major partner in making the Iraqi political scene, marks the game of “disappearance and appearance” that Moqtada al-Sadr is fluent in with a “tidal” situation in relations with Iran.

In light of the changes inside the Iraqi scene, the only fact remains that the Sadrist movement has a steady and organized audience, and this audience will maintain it despite all the political changes that Iraq is witnessing in general and the Shiite currents in particular.

According to an article by the Iraqi writer and academic, Najdi al-Obeidi, entitled Muqtada al-Sadr .. and the temptations of charismatic authority” and published on the “Middle East Online” on May 23, 2018, the most important characteristic of the Sadrist movement is that it is a charismatic movement with distinction, meaning that its name, fate and success closely linked to its leader and spiritual mentor, cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, the credit for the role of charisma in political systems is due to German sociologist Max Weber (1864 – 1920).