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Militias Splintering Into Radicalized Cells
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When gunmen in police cars and police uniforms raided the offices of an Iraqi satellite television channel, killing at least eight people, suspicion immediately fell on the Mahdi Army. Hours after the slayings, Sadr released a strongly worded statement warning that he would release the names and excommunicate any Mahdi Army militiamen who were conducting attacks against Iraqis.
The senior coalition intelligence official said he believed that Sadr was honestly trying to take control of his forces.
In neighborhoods such as al-Amil, the attacks have become bolder. Haider Hamida walks the streets without wearing a mask, said residents. Two months ago, he and some members of his gang stopped a car at a checkpoint and targeted a man who sold milk in the neighborhood, recalled Ahmed Abu Abdallah, another resident.
"Haider pulled him out of the car and they started hitting him with pistols on his head," said Abu Abdallah. "They put him in their truck and drove off." Later that day, the man's relatives found his body dumped less than a mile from the checkpoint.
U.S. officials are concerned that the Shiite splinter groups could reach out to the Shiite rulers in neighboring Iran for support. They share the same ideology, and Iran is eager to provide funding, said the senior coalition intelligence official.
"As time goes on, you're going to continue to see elements break off the organization and become sort of these semi-independent or independent players, but none of them remain independent for long," said the official. "They all find a sponsor."
In Hurriyah, Aziz Dinar acts as if he has strong backers. Residents said he has become wealthy through kidnapping for ransom and looting local stores. Poor youths from the neighborhood continue to sign up for his militia.
"He killed a couple of his own neighbors from his own street," said Hussein. "The whole area was surrounded by his men. They carried rocket-propelled grenades. The Iraqi army was in the neighborhood, but they did nothing.
"That day, he told people, 'I do whatever I like.' "
