Moqtada Tateral-Sadr
... the Iranian catspaw holy man who was 22 years old in 2003 and was nearing 40 in 2010. He spends most of his time in Iran, safely out of the line of fire, where he's learning to be an ayatollah...
announced that Shiite militia forces will participate in the upcoming djinn-infested Mosul
... the home of a particularly ferocious and hairy djinn...
offensive. He issued the announcement on Friday as his supporters gathered in Baghdad once again to protest against corruption and demand a technocrat government.
"This is a military order to Saraya al-Salam [the military wing of Sadr’s Mahdi army] to coordinate with (Iraqi) special and security forces to accept your service immediately and without delay," Sadr’s written statement said.
Forces of the Saraya al-Salam will be deployed to Sharqat in northern Salahadin province, north of Baghdad, to participate in the Mosul offensive, according to Sadr’s announcement.
Sunni groups have insisted that the Shiite militias should not participate in the operation to liberate the Sunni city of Mosul, noting the reports of abuses committed by Shiite militias in Fallujah.
Sadr’s declaration comes at a time when he and other Shiite authorities have threatened that they will deem the United States to be an occupying force if they attend the Mosul offensive. The US recently announced they will send an additional 560 troops to Iraq to assist with the operation to retake Mosul.
Meanwhile Sadr’s supporters gathered in Baghdad’s Tahrir Square on Friday once again.
Rudaw’s correspondent Bahman Hassan reported that Saraya al-Salam snuffies are securing the protest, unarmed and dressed as civilians.
Protestors were calling for corruption to be uprooted and a technocrat government installed, while chanting "Love to the nation."