I've scoured many sources, some more reliable than others, and the consensus is that nobody has clue one about what's really going on around that shrine. There are more conflicting accounts than you can shake a stick at.

One rumor has it that Sadr has already flown the coop and gone into hiding, leaving his faithful goons to face the music, which seems to the recent pattern for dictators and wannabes who loudly crow about "dying for the cause."

If it really hits the fan, how many people will be surprised to see Sadr show up living in comfortable exile in Iran, and directing the crapfest from there?