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WORLD NEWS Thursday 17 augusT 2017

Iraqi Shiite cleric’s Saudi, UAE trips show Gulf realpolitik

By JON GAMBRELL While Sunni Muslims repre-
Associated Press sent the world’s principal
DUBAI, United Arab Emir- branch of Islam, Shiites are
ates (AP) — An influential the majority in Iraq. Neigh-
Iraqi Shiite cleric, notorious boring Iran has had a gov-
for his followers’ deadly at- ernment overseen by Shiite
tacks on U.S. troops in Iraq clerics since its 1979 Islamic
over a decade ago and Revolution. Saddam Husse-
thought at times to have in’s Sunni-dominated gov-
ties to Iran, has two new ernment massacred Shiites
stamps in his passport — after the 1991 Gulf War and
from the two fiercest Sunni continued imprisoning, tor-
critics of Tehran in the Gulf. turing and executing others
Muqtada al-Sadr’s trips to up to his overthrow.
Saudi Arabia and the Unit- Al-Sadr, the son of a promi-
ed Arab Emirates come as nent Shiite cleric assassi-
the two nations want to lim- nated in a 1999 attack be-
it Iran’s influence in the wid- lieved to be organized by
er Middle East, especially Saddam, quickly organized
with Iranian-backed Shiite Shiite dispossessed under
militias leading the fight Saddam against the Ameri-
against the Islamic State can occupation. “The little
group on Iraqi battlefields. serpent has left and the
Meanwhile, the chamele- In this Monday, July 31, 2017 photo, released by Saudi Press Agency, Saudi Crown Prince and great serpent has come,”
onic cleric hopes to cement Minister of Defense Mohammed bin Salman, right, receives Iraqi Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr in al-Sadr told CBS News’ “60
his own standing ahead of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Minutes” program in 2003.
Iraq’s parliamentary elec- (Saudi Press Agency via AP) Saddam loyalists and Shiite
tions next year, part of his liance between al-Sadr has Muqtada al-Sadr sold this path, “his popularity will extremists alike would soon
makeover from a militia and the Gulf Arab coun- himself to the Al Saud?” the fall and he will become an fight an insurgency against
warlord whose fighters bat- tries could go remains to hard-line Iranian newspa- isolated person.” the American forces. Al-
tled American forces to an be seen, though photos of per Keyhan bluntly asked Such harsh criticism from Sadr’s Mahdi Army militia
Iraqi nationalist who can fill the black-turbaned Shiite after his visit, referring to Iran would have been un- fought American forces
Baghdad’s streets with his cleric meeting with Sunni Saudi Arabia’s royal fam- thinkable in the years imme- throughout much of 2004
protesting followers. rulers already has stirred ily. The paper also warned diately following the 2003 in Baghdad and other
How far any possible al- speculation in Iran. “Why that if al-Sadr continued on U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. cities.q

Israel builds underground wall after Gaza tunnel trauma

By YANIV ZOHAR expected to stretch along to give an answer to the is- ulation. Israel destroyed 32 work. Last week, Maj. Gen.
Associated Press the entire 60-kilometer (40- sue of the tunnels, and to tunnels during that conflict, Eyal Zamir, head of Israel’s
KIBBUTZ NIRIM, Israel (AP) mile) border when it is com- the issue of the communi- and since then has made Southern Command, which
— Israel is pressing ahead plete. Gadi Yarkoni, head ties in the area,” he said. neutralizing the tunnel is responsible for Gaza, told
with construction of an un- of the local Eshkol regional “The surge in development threat a top priority. Israeli reporters the project would
derground barrier along council, said the project in this area is unbeliev- defense officials have said take about two years to
the border with the Gaza is a key reason that the able.” During the 2014 war, little about the new barrier complete. He said the
Strip in an ambitious project area has enjoyed a surge Hamas militants on several project or how much has barrier would stretch sev-
meant to halt the threat of in growth and attracted occasions made their way been completed. eral meters (yards) above
attack tunnels built by the young families since a dev- into Israel through a tunnel At one construction zone, and below ground and be
Hamas militant group. astating war with Hamas network that caught Israel a sign said “military zone - equipped with sophisticat-
Cranes and work crews are three years ago. off guard. Although they no passage,” and Associ- ed sensors. It’s being built
digging holes and installing “I believe building the bar- did not manage to reach ated Press reporters could entirely on the Israeli side of
sensors and other equip- rier is the right thing to do, civilian areas, the infiltra- not approach as cranes the border, to avoid friction
ment for a structure that is to build in order to stop and tions terrified the local pop- and bulldozers were at with Hamas.q