Muqtada al-Sadr calls for expulsion of U.S. Ambassador

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Muqtada al-Sadr, the leader of the "Shiite National Movement," has called for the expulsion of the American ambassador to Iraq. The announcement was made on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, via a post on his "X" social media account.

Al-Sadr's statement criticized Israel, referring to it as "a settlement entity that has expelled the owners of the homeland and is eager to expand east and west, all with the support of American dementia and with all insolence and injustice."

He reiterated his call to expel the "American fool" from Iraq and to close the U.S. embassy through diplomatic means without bloodshed, to demonstrate Iraqi morals and peacefulness in contrast to what he described as American terrorism and insolence.

He emphasized that such non-violent methods would be more damaging and deterrent to the United States, depriving them of any excuse to destabilize Iraq's security and its people.

This call echoes a similar demand made by al-Sadr on October 27, 2023, when he urged the Iraqi government and parliament to close the American embassy in Baghdad in response to U.S. support for Israel in its conflict with Gaza.

At that time, al-Sadr also stressed the importance of protecting embassy personnel and avoiding militia attacks that could undermine Iraq's security.

Al-Sadr expressed hope that the government and parliament would heed his demands, warning that he would take further action if they did not comply.

Al-Sadr, a prominent figure with millions of followers, has demonstrated his ability to mobilize significant political pressure through large-scale rallies, particularly among the Shiite working class.

Despite political differences, the Palestinian cause enjoys widespread support across Iraq's political spectrum, in a nation that, like its influential neighbor Iran, does not recognize Israel.

In recent days, against the backdrop of Israel's attacks on the Gaza Strip, the Islamic Resistance Group in Iraq has claimed responsibility for a series of missile and drone attacks targeting American forces at the Ain al-Asad base in Anbar Governorate, Victoria base at Baghdad International Airport, and Harir base in the Kurdistan Region.

These statements were distributed via social media platforms, underscoring the heightened tensions in the region.