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Caught Between Forces Vying for the Soul of a Country
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Hundreds in Sadr City have died since violence erupted seven weeks ago in the aftermath of an Iraqi government offensive in the southern city of Basra. The battles exposed the deep-rooted rivalry between Iraq's Shiite groups.
Sadr's followers accused their rivals, especially the Badr Organization, the armed wing of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq, a powerful Shiite party led by Abdul Aziz al-Hakim, of using the Iraqi army as a proxy to gain political power before provincial elections scheduled for October. U.S. forces are backing Iraqi forces with combat helicopters, Stryker armored vehicles and aerial drones, at times taking the lead in combating the militiamen.
The camp, which opened May 8, was expected to house as many as 500 families. Iraqi government officials said the number of arrivals was low because many had gone to live with their extended families.
"Those are the families who have no other place to go. No relatives, no other shelter," said Hamid Abdul Rahim, the camp's administrator. "The number of people who fled their houses are 100 times more than what we have here."
But others said Mahdi Army militiamen were preventing many of Sadr City's displaced from seeking assistance at the camp. Rumors abounded of the Mahdi Army warning people against going to Shaab Stadium.
"They consider this a Maliki camp," not one set up to provide aid, Jassim said. "If there was not this concern, this camp would not have the capacity to hold the people who want to come."
"The fear is there, the threats," he added. "Some people don't have to be threatened. They think if they come here, they will be subject to danger from the Mahdi Army."
Sami Allah Ashwili, a Mahdi Army commander in Sadr City, described some of those who have fled to Shaab Stadium as members of the Badr Organization. The camp, he said, "was propaganda for the benefit of the failing Iraqi government." He warned that if those at the camp returned to Sadr City, his fighters will make sure they do not stay for long.
A U.S. military officer with knowledge of the camp said many Iraqis were not coming here because they lacked trust in the Iraqi government to provide adequate food and services. The officer, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said threats from Mahdi Army militiamen were also a factor.
Jassim's family fled over the weekend after clashes broke out between U.S. forces and militiamen on their block. After bullets shattered their windows, they fled through the back door, hopping over their neighbor's fence.
"We left in a hurry," said Jassim Mohammed Sabah, Jassim's father, as his wife, Lemiya, nodded.
Their son, Qaeed, has a rare blood disorder. If he was shot, it would be difficult to treat him, his mother said.
