TROUBLE AMONG MAYSAN'S SADRISTS

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 004184

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/27/2017
TAGS: IR IZ PGOV
SUBJECT: TROUBLE AMONG MAYSAN'S SADRISTS

Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Greg D'Elia for reasons 1.4 (
b) and (d).


1. (U) This is a PRT Maysan reporting cable.


2. (S/NF) Summary: Maysan,s Sadrists are challenged by a
splintering within the Jaysh al-Mahdi (JAM) and mounting
public discontent over poor governance, according to a
US-based Maysani businessman. He said the criminal and
former Baathist members of JAM are driving out the more
tolerant religious adherents, while Sadr,s efforts to clean
up the militia are causing criminal elements to flee to Iran
and join the Iranian-directed Jaysh al-Sirri (JAS - Secret
Army). The Maysan Governor and his staff are facing
significant public and tribal pressure over service delivery
and unemployment. The political future of the Sadrists will
depend on improving government performance but JAM-driven
corruption and their own administrative inexperience would
hamstring the effort. Finally, both Iranian and Emirati
security services exert influence through economic
reconstruction offices and tribal engagement. End Summary.

JAM Splinters in Maysan
--------------


3. (S/NF) On December 24, 2007, Mr. Saad Ouda al-Mussawi, a
US Legal Permanent Resident of Maysani origin (STRICTLY
PROTECT),visited the PRT and shared his perspectives on the
current challenges within his province. Mussawi told us that
JAM in Maysan is comprised of three groups: 1) religious
followers of Sadiq al-Sadr, 2) released criminals, and 3)
former Baathists. He described the first as generally
low-key and idealistic, the second as having few options and
little money, and the third as Shi,a co-opted by the former
regime. Mussawi said harassment from Baathists and criminals
led some of the religious followers to break away and form a
group in line with their values called the Tajammah al-Watani
al-Iraqi (National Iraqi Gathering). He reported that JAM,s
appeal is showing signs of waning in al-Amarah, observing
that Friday prayer attendance at three JAM-affiliated mosques
has decreased by 75%.


4. (S/NF) Mussawi said a recent Sadr initiative to announce
the names of 'bad actors' within JAM in a weekly reading is
causing criminal elements to flee to Iran. In Iran the rogue
members are trained and equipped by the Iranian security
services and some are recruited into the Jaysh al-Sirri
(Secret Army) and sent back to Maysan. Mussawi explained
that Jaysh al-Sirri members are easily identified as
impoverished peasants or urban poor with expensive automatic
weapons. This group operates secretly under the direction of
a local Iranian security service liaison. Mussawi offered an
anecdote to illustrate the delicate relationship between the
Governor and JAM. 4-5 months ago the Governor declined an
invitation to a JAM-sponsored party. Outraged senior JAM
leaders began publicly cursing the Governor, forcing him to
rush to the party and publicly apologize.

Failures in services, governance, and security
-------------- -


5. (S/NF) Mussawi said there is growing popular resentment
towards the Sadrists for failing to improve service delivery
after assuming office. Recent rains in Amarah left standing
pools of water, spreading garbage and sewage and making
travel within the city difficult. Governmental
representatives blame the Kuwaiti-based contractor
responsible for installing sewage systems but others point to
weak provincial government oversight. (Note: Larger-scale
flooding in April 2007 led to similar public outrage. End
Note.) Mussawi added that government attempts to pass the
blame are failing due to the lack of CF presence and
terrorism attacks. He reported that local tribes regularly
badger the Governor for patronage and jobs, repeating that
jobs are the single most important issue for tribal leaders
in Maysan. Mussawi said Governor al-Maliki is an
inexperienced public administrator and lacks a qualified
staff. Embarrassment arose during the recent visit by a
senior official of the electricity ministry when it became
obvious that the Governor's staff was unaware of their own
contracting authority. As another example, Mussawi said that
a delegation sent to Japan for discussions on marshland
development support returned empty-handed with no meaningful
outcomes.


6. (S/NF) Mussawi predicted that, due to growing resentment
to JAM, the local Sadrist party (Hussein Ideology Forum -
HIF) would struggle to retain its large majority and be
forced to govern as part of a coalition on the Provincial
Council. Mussawi explained that the political future of the
Sadrists depended on delivering jobs and services but that
JAM-driven corruption and administrative inexperience would
hamstring their efforts.

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7. (S/NF) Mussawi claimed that following the December 12
bombing and the subsequent dismissal of the Chief of Police
(Hussein Aziz, reportedly leader of the Abu Ali tribe of
Majar al-Kabir),Abu Ali tribal members raided a police
station and stole a number of police cars. Mussawi was
unsure whether the tribal members ever returned the cars. He
added that the new chief, Gen. Ali Ohaim, has little relevant
experience but is from the same tribe as the Governor.

Iranian interference, foreign tribal engagement
-------------- --


8. (S/NF) Mussawi said that the Iranian security services are
active in Maysan and the rest of the south. He highlighted
the role of economic reconstruction offices located in major
cities in the south and staffed by Iraqi Arabs operating
under Iranian control and direction. Mussawi added that Iran
has repeatedly engaged with tribal leaders throughout the
south. Apart from Iran, he noted that the United Arab
Emirates (UAE) recently established a linkage with tribal
leaders in southern Iraq. According to al-Mussawi, the head
of the UAE security services hosted the leaders of a number
of southern tribes at the Burj al-Arab hotel in Dubai. The
Emiratis offered the sheikhs each USD 150,000 and a new car
in return for establishing local 'tribal council' offices.
The UAE would have access to these offices and use them to
counter the central Iraqi government and keep Iraq weak.

Bio Notes on al-Mussawi
--------------


9. (S/NF) Mussawi is an Iraqi exile who fled the country in
the late 1980s, spending 2 years in Qom, Iran before stays in
Syria and Saudi Arabia. He later resettled in the US and
since liberation has periodically traveled to Maysan and
Baghdad. He claims relationships with key former exile/
resistance personalities, including Abdul-Aziz al-Hakim,
Ahmed Chalabi, and Maysan Governor Adil al-Maliki. He also
claimed a close relationship with former Maysan Chief of
Police (and Badrist archnemesis of the Governor),Abu
Maythem. Mussawi has been in Maysan for a month, building
relationships with key players and is planning to set up a
construction engineering firm to participate in
reconstruction activities. He claims to have hosted the
Governor and the Governor's family at his home in Maysan. He
will return to the US in another 3-4 months.
CROCKER