Sadr Flees Iraq
John Hinderaker

Stunning news, I think: Moqtada al Sadr has bolted to Iran, apparently because he fears for his safety as more American troops pour into Baghdad. Sadr reportedly took the top command of his "Mahdi army" with him to Tehran.

I would think this will make it more difficult to sell the footsoldiers who stayed behind on the desirability of martyrdom. ...

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U.S. officials: Sadr fled to Iran several weeks ago 
Allahpundit

Breaking hard on Fox and CNN as I write this. CNN says Sadr’s people are denying it. No surprises here, though: the Times of London reported on January 27th that Mahdi Army capos had slipped across the border — on Maliki’s advice — and were planning to ride out the surge in Iran while U.S. troops hammer Sunni jihadis in Baghdad. Bob Owens wrote a post just yesterday, in fact, about the sudden conspicuous absence of JAM on the streets in the capital. They’re just lying low until we’re gone, when they’ll come home and reemerge to reclaim power. It wasn’t hard to see it coming; even an idiot like me has been calling it for months.

I’ll post a link once it’s up. In the meantime, crack Bush-hating news commentator Jack Cafferty wondered a few minutes ago on CNN how Sadr could have slipped out of Baghdad with so many American soldiers around as part of the surge. Answer: Because he wasn’t there. He lives in Najaf, not Baghdad, jerky.

Update: Here’s the link at ABC News. Iraq’s borders will be closed in the next few days, but I’ve got a hunch that order doesn’t apply to Sadr.

Update: A little more from the AP: ...

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Sadr Runs [Home?] To Iran
A J Strata

Radical Shia Cleric Maqtada Sadr apparently has bolted from Iraq and is now in Iran. ...

I doubt seriously Sadr had as much to fear from the US as he did from the Iraqis, since one of his people planted in the Health Ministry was recently apprehended for running death squads and kiling government officials who appeared to support the coalition (which is why most are IN the Iraqi government). Since this man has been apprehended, and probably by now interrogated to the point he is spilling the beans, Sadr has more to fear from simple tribal vengeance than anything else. Many tribes and families will be looing for retribution of those his ‘man’ had assassinated. Sadr is now the Benedict Arnold of Iraq, so it is no surprise he has had to leave. There would be no sanctuary in the Shia community since he probably killed with impugnity there as well as against Sunni.

But there could be additional reasons Sadr had to run to his puppetmasters in Tehran: ...

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ABC: Sadr Bugs Out 
Ed Morrissey

Well, so much for the whole 72 virgins thing and the radical Islamist desire to die in martyrdom:

The story tonight in Iraq is not the arrival of more U.S. troops, but the departure of one of the country's most powerful men, Moqtada al Sadr and members of his army.  ...

This couldn't have come at a better time. Congress has tied itself in knots trying to opine on what a disaster the surge will be, and before they can vote on a resolution scolding George Bush for wasting resources, he's already chased one of the worst actors out of Baghdad. Nancy Pelosi will be holding a debate to disapprove of a strategy that has already demonstrated success.

And as for Sadr, this will destroy him and his Mahdi Army. ABC reports that Sadr wants to try to run the Mahdis from Teheran, but his credibility as a jihadi just tanked. Who's going to fight for someone who won't stand up for himself?

And the Iranians surely have to be thumping their foreheads over his bug-out. ...

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Jules Crittenden: Surge OK!