What is radical cleric Moqtada al-Sadr up to? Al Sadr has reportedly travelled to Iran to further his Islamic studies. No one seems to know how long he will be there. Also in question is how much control he actually has over his Mahdi Army forces in Iraq. Some of his forces have left to form radical groups. Some reports claim al Sadr stepped away from leadership due to major splits in the Mahdi Army. Skirmishes involving Iraqi Army forces and Mahdi Army gunmen have increased, and on Wednesday the Iraqi Army raided Mahdi Army strongholds in the southern city of Kut. Last month al-Sadr extended his ceasefire another 6 months but he recently hinted the ceasefire could be amended. (photo credit: abc.net.au.)
