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Intra-Shiite conflict in Iraq

A Shiite political battle - ostensibly over constitutional differences - erupted between two powerful militias last week and spread throughout Iraq Wednesday night and Thursday. Moqtada al-Sadr`s Mahdi Army locked horns with the Badr Brigade, the militia of the ruling Shiite religious party the Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI), signaling that the fight for control of a new Iraq goes beyond the conflict between Shiite, Sunni, and Kurd.

The fighting in southern and central Iraq, where at least nine Iraqis were killed, springs from an emerging power struggle between Mr. Sadr`s movement and SCIRI. The two groups have been at loggerheads since Sadr`s militia won popular support after confronting US forces last August in the city of Najaf. The Badr forces have seen their influence rise after the SCIRI slate swept January`s elections.

Politically, Sadr and the ruling Shiite parties have battled throughout the drafting of Iraq`s constitution. Sadr has forcefully objected to a SCIRI-backed provision expanding federalism to give the Kurdish north and Shiite south semiautonomous status. Just last week Sadr and imams loyal to him led protests after Friday prayers where hundreds of followers chanted, "No! No! Federalism, Yes! Yes! Unity." More demonstrations were planned for Friday to protest the lack of basic services like electricity and water.