Time Travel 04: I Fight the US in the Middle East

Baghdad, Green Zone, inside a building.

"Mr. Muktada Sadr, your men are truly loyal," Major General Cardo Sanchez quipped.

At this moment, watching the battle outside Abu Ghraib prison being broadcast on television, Muqtada-Sadr's heart was bleeding, his eyes were red, and his fists were clenched tightly.

These were all his most loyal subordinates, and yet they were...

He desperately wanted to stand up, slam his fist on the table, and denounce the atrocities committed by the American troops, but he knew it would be pointless, after all…

He's still a prisoner!

"Currently, our men have surrounded Sadr City and Najaf. There should still be some remnants there. You... need to call those people out under the supervision of our American troops and tell them to lay down their weapons and surrender. Only in this way can we reduce unnecessary deaths."

Major General Cardo Sanchez said, "After all, too many people have died, and this war is long over! If you complete this mission, we can consider reserving a position for you in the interim government of Italy."

Muqtada al-Sadr's goal is to infiltrate the interim government of Iraq, and now... he is about to achieve his goal, but this is on the condition that the Mahdi Army is completely disbanded!

What should he choose?

He has no right to make a choice!

If he doesn't agree, he will die!

He took a deep breath: "Alright, I agree, but... what position will you give me in the government?"

"The Minister of Immigration, that's a ministerial-level official, the maximum power I can negotiate for you!"

Shit!

The most powerful people in Iraq are the Minister of Petroleum and the Minister of Defense! Next are the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Trade. As for the Minister of Immigration... that's even more absurd. An immigration bureau can handle it all, why would you need a minister?

He certainly shouldn't be given a position with real power; having a ministerial title is already quite good!

"How about the Minister of Education or the Minister of Health?" Muqtada-Sadr bargained.

"Sorry, no, these positions are very important."

Initially, David thought this was unimportant, so he gave a sum of money to a man in a wheelchair. This man built hospitals and schools, doing things that seemed simple, but...

Hamas just emerged like that!

Education and health are very important!

In a place like Hadza, the so-called education is nothing more than being a charlatan. Muqtada al-Sadr is a charlatan to begin with. If he were to become the Minister of Education, wouldn't he turn the entire population of Hadza into Hamas?

Even the Minister of Health isn't enough; he has to manage the hospitals! Hospitals save lives, and those they save become their loyal followers!

He'd be better suited to be the Minister of Immigration, reviewing people who are qualified to leave the country, or reviewing immigrants who want to come in... He wouldn't cause any trouble.

Major General Cardo Sanchez gave him a disdainful look: "What, you don't want to?"

"Yes, yes," Muqtada-Sadr nodded. "You're right, we can't afford any more bloodshed!"

"Let's go to Sadr City first!"

In Sadr City, the Mahdi army fought its most glorious battle. Everyone thought it was just the beginning, but little did they know... it would be the end!

Moreover, the victory in Sadr City was not due to the Mahdi army; Juba the Grim Reaper was far more powerful!

Sitting in a Humvee provided by the U.S. military, Muqtada al-Sadr looked around at everything with mixed feelings.

"Hey, you're already in, aren't you going up?" A US soldier urged him impatiently from the side.

In the past, Muqtada al-Sadr wouldn't have cared about these small fry; he had thousands of men to rely on. But now…

He quickly smiled apologetically, "Okay, okay, I'll go up right away."

With his feet on the engine hood between the driver and passenger seats, exposing half of his body, Muqtada al-Sadr took a deep breath and shouted, "Mahdi brothers, I am your leader, Muqtada al-Sadr. Now, I order you to lay down your weapons and surrender..."

The sound echoed through the city, followed by a deathly silence...

Nobody came out!

What's going on?

The US M1 tanks and M2 armored vehicles following behind were just waiting for those people to jump out, but... not a single one came out. There were definitely more than 300 Mahdi soldiers in this city!

Where are the others hiding? Are they waiting for an opportunity to deliver a fatal blow to this US military force?

"The war is over, the provisional government is about to be formed, the US military will return power to the people of Iraq, and there is no point in us continuing to fight..." Muqtada-Sadr was still shouting, but unfortunately... only his echo remained in the sky above the city.

The residents of the city clenched their fists.

Muqtada al-Sadr is not fit to be our leader!

Look at Azzam, leading from the front, fighting so fiercely!

Azzam is our leader!

Azam has led the team away, but... he will definitely come back!

The weather was hot, and everyone's tempers were flaring up, but... they didn't cause any trouble. They knew that when Azam returned, he would definitely be able to shake things up!

Inside the Green Zone, Major General Ricardo Sanchez was also incredibly curious: "Where did the Mahdi army go?"

"I don't know, maybe... they ran away," Bruce said. "As long as they leave Sadel City, we just need a few days of peace, especially during this transitional period..."

If the Mahdi Army remains in Sadr City, the transitional government will live in constant fear, as the Mahdi Army could set up mortars and fire a few shells at the interim government's office building at any time.

"Okay, maintain regular patrols in Sadr City from now on! Make sure the Mahdi Army doesn't come back. Next, send Muqtada Sadr to Najaf!" Major General Ricardo Sanchez also breathed a sigh of relief.

The last raid on Najaf was to capture Muqtada al-Sadr. After they fled with their men, the 1st Cavalry Division did not dare to fight them head-on. Therefore, the city is still in the hands of the Mahdi Army!

When Muqtada al-Sadr appeared at the entrance to Najaf in a US Army Humvee, everyone was stunned.

What?

The leader actually wants us to surrender?

The leader actually said that continuing the fight was pointless?

Rumble... They felt as if their world had collapsed!

Unlike Sadr City, the citizens here did not hide in the shadows. They stood up, watched the armored vehicles slowly drive over, and listened to Muqtada al-Sadr's speech, tears welling up in their eyes.

"No, Leader, that's not how it is. You were coerced by the Americans and had no choice but to say this, right?"

"Leader, we're here to save you!"

Instantly, the US military convoy stood ready!

Muqtada-Sadr quickly shook his head: "No, no, I swear in the name of the true God, what I just said is true..."