Shia Iraqi Cleric Muqtada Al-Sadr has dismantled his armed brigade in Basra Province, south of Iraq, to prevent its members from interfering in government affairs, the Anadolu Agency reported yesterday.
In a statement issued by Al-Sadr’s office, he said that “Al-Salam Brigade in Basra Province was suspended and its leader Samir Mohammed Luaibi was dismissed.”
Sources said the move came following “the interference of the leaders … in government affairs for personal interests.”
“Sadr has called on his followers not to engage in politics,” Sadr official Maged Al-Fartousi said, according to the Baghdad Post.
The coalition backed by Al-Sadr received the highest number of votes in Iraq’s recent parliamentary elections which were carried out on 12 May.