The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/muqtada-al-sadr/ News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World Fri, 18 Sep 2026 13:44:18 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2018/11/toi_icon_512-200x200.png Muqtada al-Sadr | The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/muqtada-al-sadr/ 32 32 Iraqis vote in general election as US and Iran both keep a close eye https://www.timesofisrael.com/iraqis-vote-in-general-election-as-us-and-iran-both-keep-a-close-eye/ Tue, 11 Nov 2025 21:05:39 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3686551 Many voters boycott poll amid deep distrust, as country still struggles to emerge from decades of war and endemic corruption, while Washington and Tehran battle for influence

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]]> From Iceland to Iran and Iraq: One man’s mission to help free Elizabeth Tsurkov https://www.timesofisrael.com/from-iceland-to-iran-and-iraq-one-mans-mission-to-help-free-elizabeth-tsurkov/ Sun, 28 Sep 2025 11:46:48 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3649672 Former lawmaker Birgir Thorarinsson used connections, persistence, and nationality to convince a dangerous militia to drop its ransom demand for a kidnapped Israeli researcher

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]]> Thousands protest in Tehran and the region against Israel’s war on Iran https://www.timesofisrael.com/thousands-protest-in-tehran-and-the-region-against-israels-war-on-iran/ Fri, 20 Jun 2025 20:27:58 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3579653 Demonstrators chant 'Death to America' and 'Death to Israel,' burn the two nations' flags, as Iran proxies and other Shiite Muslims rally after noon prayers in Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen

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]]> Powerful Iraqi Shiite cleric Sadr girds for political comeback https://www.timesofisrael.com/powerful-iraqi-shiite-cleric-sadr-girds-for-political-comeback/ Sun, 12 May 2024 07:31:10 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3287974 Observers say return likely for planned 2025 parliamentary election, could pose threat to rival Shiite parties and armed factions close to Iran, undermining relative stability

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]]> Iraqis storm Swedish embassy as Muslim world denounces Quran burning https://www.timesofisrael.com/iraqis-storm-swedish-embassy-as-muslim-world-denounces-quran-burning/ Fri, 30 Jun 2023 03:54:02 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3043263 After sparking major international row by destroying holy book, Salwan Momika vows to do so again within 10 days; US deeply concerned, but defends permitting protest

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]]> 20 years after US toppled Saddam, Shiites the big winners in Iraq https://www.timesofisrael.com/20-years-after-us-toppled-saddam-shiites-the-big-winners-in-iraq/ Fri, 17 Mar 2023 10:54:02 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2976664 Adherents of Islamic sect now dominate Iraqi politics after being sidelined under longtime dictator, but tensions over power-sharing have resulted in divisions and bloody violence

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]]> Iraqi parliament approves new government, ending yearlong stalemate https://www.timesofisrael.com/iraqi-parliament-approves-new-government-cabinet-ending-yearlong-stalemate/ Fri, 28 Oct 2022 08:44:29 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2861555 Headed by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, cabinet excludes followers of Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr following August street violence that left at least 30 dead

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]]> Shiite cleric’s supporters heed call to leave streets after deadly Iraq unrest https://www.timesofisrael.com/shiite-clerics-supporters-heed-call-to-leave-streets-after-deadly-iraq-unrest/ Wed, 31 Aug 2022 09:32:14 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2827752 Military ends nationwide curfew, Iran reopens border with neighbor as calm returns, though year-long political impasse between pro-Tehran and nationalist camps still unresolved

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]]> Calm returns to Baghdad as supporters of Iraqi cleric heed call to stand down https://www.timesofisrael.com/calm-returns-to-baghdad-as-supporters-of-iraqi-cleric-heed-call-to-stand-down/ Tue, 30 Aug 2022 15:58:39 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2827318 Two days of deadly unrest rocked capital after resignation of Muqtada al-Sadr, as larger Iraqi political crisis remains unsolved

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]]> Iran shuts border with Iraq after 20 killed in violence over Sadr’s resignation https://www.timesofisrael.com/iran-shuts-border-with-iraq-after-20-killed-in-violence-over-sadrs-resignation/ Tue, 30 Aug 2022 08:54:01 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2826970 Closure comes as millions of Iranians were expected to visit Shiite sites in neighboring country as part of annual pilgrimage; Iran, Kuwait urge citizens to avoid travel to Iraq

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]]> Shelling targets Baghdad’s Green Zone; 15 killed in chaos after Sadr quits politics https://www.timesofisrael.com/shelling-targets-baghdads-green-zone-15-killed-in-chaos-after-sadr-quits-politics/ Tue, 30 Aug 2022 05:10:19 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2826913 At least 7 shells land in protected quarter housing gov't buildings and diplomatic missions, but unclear who authorized bombing; Shiite cleric's supporters occupy government palace

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]]> 12 dead in Baghdad clashes as Sadr loyalists storm government palace https://www.timesofisrael.com/at-least-3-killed-in-baghdad-clashes-iraqi-army-declares-nationwide-curfew/ Mon, 29 Aug 2022 16:12:47 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2826624 Followers of Shiite cleric riot after he announces plans to resign; UN calls developments 'extremely dangerous escalation'

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]]> Top Shiite cleric bows out of Iraqi politics in bid to resolve paralyzing impasse https://www.timesofisrael.com/top-shiite-cleric-bows-out-of-iraqi-politics-in-bid-to-resolve-paralyzing-impasse/ Mon, 29 Aug 2022 12:36:54 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2826411 Muqtada al-Sadr announces that 'all the institutions' of his movement will be shuttered, excluding the resting place of his father and other heritage sites

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]]> Iraq Shiite cleric’s supporters demand assembly be dissolved, new election called https://www.timesofisrael.com/iraq-shiite-clerics-supporters-demand-assembly-be-dissolved-new-election-called/ Tue, 23 Aug 2022 19:25:40 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2823399 UN sounds alarm over further political paralysis as judiciary announces suspension of court sessions following telephone threats pressuring for disbanding of parliament

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]]> Rival rallies in Iraq underscore inter-Shiite power struggle https://www.timesofisrael.com/rival-rallies-in-iraq-underscore-inter-shiite-power-struggle/ Sat, 13 Aug 2022 08:06:09 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2817571 Supporters of Iran-backed factions hold protest in Baghdad to denounce followers of cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, as jockeying for power has left country in political limbo

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