Muqtada Al-Sadr: If Asked by Syria & Iran, We May Confront the American Forces
"Interviewer: "How would you describe the military presence of the American and allied forces in Iraq?"
Muqtada Al-Sadr: "Occupation. It is occupation, regardless of whether it is a foreign, Arab, or Islamic country. In all cases, it is occupation. Therefore, all the talk and all the rumors that if the American forces leave - or even if they don't leave - Islamic or Arab forces will enter - they, too, will be occupiers."
Interviewer: "Occupiers?!"
Muqtada Al-Sadr: "Yes, occupiers."
Interviewer: "So if these forces leave and Arab Islamic forces enter..."
Muqtada Al-Sadr: "It will be worse than with the foreign forces, because I can fight and resist the foreign forces. But if Arab or Islamic forces come in, how could I possibly turn against an Arab or Muslim? This is a difficult situation. This is why we have such a hard time with those who support the occupation. We cannot fight and kill them, because they are Iraqis."