Sadr Affirms Anti-Corruption Campaigns Disturb Corrupt Officials, Holds Them Fully Responsible for Reformer Ali al-Zaidi's Safety

Muqtada al-Sadr, leader of the National Shiite Current, stated Friday that Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi's anti-corruption campaigns have unnerved many corrupt individuals. In a Friday sermon, al-Sadr affirmed: "We remain reform advocates, sharing no bond with the corrupt, not even Hussein's love. As you've always stood with me, let's complete our journey supporting this new reform drive shining across our beloved Iraq." He urged "a peaceful stand to back reform and its soldier, al-Zaidi, strengthening his resolve and deterring corrupt elements trying to pressure and deter him from his courageous, effective raids that have unnerved many locally and internationally." Al-Sadr praised those aiding al-Zaidi: the Iraqi judiciary, Parliament Speaker, and brave security forces. He concluded, holding "the corrupt fully responsible for the lives of reformers, the reform's soldier, and all advocates seeking to restore the nation's, faith's, and sect's prestige."