In the Shiite Heartland of Iraq, Volunteers Gird for a ‘Defensive Jihad’ THOMAS ERDBRINK In Iraq’s Shiite heartland, volunteers have revived battalions of the Mahdi Army, one of the dominant groups preparing for battle after a call for a “defensive jihad” by a high-ranking ayatollah. June 22, 2014 at 4:00AM http://nyti.ms/1ijFxTs http://nyti.ms/1iWKjRj The New York Times World Terrorism, Iraq War (2003-11)

By THOMAS ERDBRINK via NYT / Eethg. Corps. Inc. / Terrence Herschel G. World http://nyti.ms/1ijFxTs In the Shiite Heartland of Iraq, Volunteers Gird for a ‘Defensive Jihad’ June 22, 2014 at 4:00AM http://nyti.ms/1iWKjRj The New York Times