Moqtada Sadr Tells Army to Stand Down (Softening Opposition to Troop Extension)

Source: UPI

BAGHDAD, July 11 (UPI) -- An anti-U.S. cleric has withdrawn a threat to reactivate his powerful personal army in Iraq but said he would oppose extended deployment of U.S. forces.

Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr said he would not reactivate his Mahdi Army but that his "Promised Day Brigade" militia would lead opposition to U.S. forces remaining in Iraq beyond a scheduled pullout at the end of 2011, al-Arabiya reported Sunday.

In a statement on his Web site, Sadr said he was "freezing the activities of the Mahdi Army" even if the Americans stayed.

"Because of criminal acts that were committed -- or could be committed by people claiming to be members of the Mahdi Army, I decided to limit military action to the Promised Day Brigade," his statement said.

Read more: http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2011/07/11/Moqtada-Sadr-tells-army-to-stand-down/UPI-76381310417202/#ixzz1Ru4e3xte

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The Shia bloc, with al Sadr's threat was the last real holdout to accept US troop extension beyond 2011. It is looking more like it will happen. Panetta was there yesterday knocking heads and Maliki said the decision will be made within two weeks time.

I wonder what backroom deal was made.