Allegations of extortion and abductions are not new, but U.S. military officials say such complaints have picked up. They say Sadr's truce with U.S. forces in August has led to splintering in the organization. Questions about which way Sadr will go, toward sustaining the truce or halting it, have fueled more Mafia-like behavior among his followers as they jockey for power and resources in the face of an uncertain future.
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Iraqis losing patience with militiamen
Cleric Muqtada Sadr's group has helped and protected residents, but recent fighting has endangered their lives.
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"Everyone is trying to claw their way to the top," said Olson, comparing it to Robin Hood turning into Tony Soprano.
Regardless of whether the Sadr movement agrees that it may have lost some support recently, it clearly was trying to curry favor with the public as the Iraqi army moved into Sadr City.
"There's no problem with the Iraqi forces' operations today," spokesman Saleh Obeidi said, "as long as these forces are taking care of the civilians' rights there."
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tina.susman@latimes.com
Times staff writer Raheem Salman and special correspondents in Baghdad contributed to this report.
