In between battles, fighters spoke about politics and war. There was no sign of dread, or grief, or fear. Death was a matter of honor, a shortcut to some divine place. As the two sides exchanged fire, Thahabi’s mother, Um Falah, clutched a Koran and began to recite a prayer to Imam Ali, Shiite Islam’s … Continue reading 19 Tense Hours in Sadr City Alongside the Mahdi Army – washingtonpost.com