18 Facts About Mahdi Army

Mahdi Army rose to international prominence on April 4th, 2004, when it spearheaded the first major armed confrontation against the US forces in Iraq from the Shia community.

At its height, the Mahdi Army's popularity was strong enough to influence local government, the police, and cooperation with Sunni Iraqis and their supporters.

The Mahdi Army grew into a sizable force of up to 10,000 who even operated what amounted to a shadow government in some areas.

Mahdi Army forces began an offensive in Najaf, Kufa, Kut, and Sadr City, seizing control of public buildings and police stations while clashing with coalition forces.

Mahdi Army rebels expelled Iraqi police from three police stations and ambushed US forces in Sadr City, killing seven US troops and wounding several more.

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The total number of Mahdi Army militiamen killed in the fighting across Iraq is estimated at between 1,500 and 2,000.

Mahdi Army said the interim government was an opportunity to build a unified Iraq.

Mahdi Army announced that if the restoration of the cease-fire failed "then the firing and igniting of the revolution will continue".

The Mahdi Army, estimated at 2,000 in Najaf, was outnumbered by some 2,000 US troops and 1,800 Iraqi security forces, and at a disadvantage due to the vastly superior American tactics, training, firepower and airpower, such as helicopters and AC-130 gunships.

Mahdi Army said he escaped after holding a woman at knife-point, to a government building where guards found him, but they phoned his kidnappers, who arrived to collect him.

Badr fighters blamed the Mahdi Army for the killing and in response to this, the police captured a brother of the suspected bomber, who was a member of the Mahdi Army.

Mahdi Army eventually withdrew from their positions in Amarah following negotiations between local tribal and political leaders and representatives from the Baghdad offices of Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki.

Stunning and defiant display of militia strength underscored the weaknesses of the Iraqi security forces and the potency of the Mahdi Army, which had been able to operate virtually unchecked in Iraq.

Mahdi Army launched a nationwide civil disobedience campaign across Iraq to protest raids and detentions against the Mahdi Army.

Mahdi Army losses were estimated at between 700 and 1,000 casualties.

Later al-Sadr created either two or three new organizations to take the place of the Mahdi Army: the Promised Day Brigades, established in November 2008 as a militia, and the Muhamidoon, which focuses on social work and religious education.

The Mahdi Army participated in battles against Sunni insurgents and operated its own justice system in the areas it controlled.

The Mahdi army operated death squads that frequently killed Sunni civilians particularly during the civil war phase of the Iraq war.