AMIDST CEASE-FIRE, SADRIST MOSQUES IN BAGHDAD BEAT

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 001083 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/07/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL KISL IZ SUBJECT: AMIDST CEASE-FIRE, SADRIST MOSQUES IN BAGHDAD BEAT THE WAR DRUMS Classified By: Political Counselor Matt Tueller for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) A sampling of several Sadrist-affiliated mosque sermons in the greater Baghdad area from last Friday, April 4, reveals that despite Muqtada as-Sadr's recent cease-fire declaration, tensions between the Sadrists and the GOI and CF continue to run high. Criticism of the GOI and its perceived inefficacy was a common theme at nearly every Sadrist mosque sampled, with many claiming that the government is deliberately denying people in Sadrist-controlled areas essential services. Claiming that they are under siege from the ISF and CF, a handful of imams questioned whether the Sadrists were being collectively punished. The continued detention of JAM members and Sadrists was also a volatile issue, with several imams threatening severe retaliation against the ISF and CF if they continue detaining Sadrists and fail to release those already in custody. Most imams had harsh words for the PM, calling his selection a mistake while hinting that he was nothing more than a puppet of the CF. Nearly every Sadrist-affiliated mosque sampled urged their congregations to participate in the demonstrations scheduled for April 9, 2008 against the "occupation." ¶2. (C) Comment: After several weeks of mixed messages from Baghdad's Sadrist mosques following the renewal of the original cease-fire and Muqtada al-Sadr's subsequent decision to enter into a period of "corporeal separation" from the movement, there once again appears to be a unity of message. End Comment. BUTENIS