Resentment Grows over Shiite Cleric's Militias

The powerful grass-roots movement led by radical cleric Moqtada al-Sadr has fractured — with Sadr all but acknowledging that he has lost control.

His statements are often at odds with his followers' actions. Despite orders to the contrary, groups acting in his name continue to kill U.S. and Iraqi forces.

And Sadr's problems extend to Baghdad's neighborhoods, where his militia are increasingly seen as little more than criminal gangs.

Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.