For what it’s worth, Muqtada al-Sadr allegedly survived an assassination attempt that was called for by the Iraqi government.

Radical Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr narrowly avoided an assassination attempt in recent days in Kufa, south of Baghdad, according to Iraqi deputy Biha al-Araji. He told Arab newspaper al-Quds al-Arabi that elements linked to the government of Nouri al-Malkiki [sic] were behind the plot. The plan reportedly involved the killing of al-Sadr on Friday while he was preaching inside the Kufa mosque. Once the plot was uncovered the he decided not to attend the mosque that day.

I have trouble believing this report because Sadr has done wonders for the Shia block in the Iraqi government, of which al-Maliki is a part of.  It would be far more believable if there was a faction within or a group who splintered apart from the Mehdi Army due to Sadr’s alleged dual stance on the Shia militia.