Iraq cleric who led rebels against US forces quits politics, kills movement

Shi’ite Muslim cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, who led revolts against U.S. forces in Iraq before their pullout and became a major influence in the government, said he is leaving political life and has dissolved his movement.

Sadr gave no reason for the retirement announced via a handwritten statement on his website.
But two members of his political bloc Ahrar, which holds roughly an eighth of the seats in parliament, said he was angry after they defied his orders by voting in favor of a controversial bill that guarantees legislators high pensions.

‘I announce my non-interference in the political affairs in general and there is no bloc representing us anymore, or any position inside or outside the government, or in parliament,’ Sadr said in the statement posted on Saturday evening.