Radical cleric Moqtada al-Sadr's militiamen rule the streets of Baghdad's biggest slum, clutching AK-47 assault rifles and barking orders at motorists.
But finding new recruits may not be easy in Sadr City, a sprawling stronghold for the Shia Muslim cleric whose fighters are posing a major challenge to the interim government of Prime Minister Iyad Allawi.
Some youths who may have once been inspired by Sadr's calls for holy war say they are giving Allawi a chance to deliver on his promises of stability and economic prosperity.
"I hope that Allawi will stabilise the situation and help the people of Sadr City," said Ahmed Dhia, 25, a worker in a biscuit factory.
"I am not interested in joining Sadr's movement. What we need is a normal life."
With a population of more than two million people and a host of problems from raw sewage to high unemployment, Sadr City is a testing ground for Allawi, who has vowed to stamp out violence and lead an economic recovery.
Named after Sadr's father, a cleric who was believed killed by toppled Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, the slum is now a key battlefield between radical militiamen and US and Iraqi forces in several cities.
It is easy to see why the life of a militiaman in Sadr's Mehdi Army appeals to some who see the young Sadr as a hero who stood up to the US military in fierce clashes in April.
Grinding poverty and a leadership vacuum after the fall of Saddam turned many young men to seek power via the gun.
Masked militiamen with rifles and ammunition belts direct traffic and inspect cars at intersections. Their plain-clothes colleagues stand guard clutching pistols as a young boy pours them a glass of water.
While some young men dominated the streets, others were busy in a carpentry workshop, selling petrol from plastic canisters or lifting bags of cement.
"We want Allawi to come here and deal with Sadr's fighters. We want more work, not Jihad (holy war)," said Ali Sattar, 17, who earns $3 a day selling petrol.
Those moderate young men with hopes of an improved economy provide Allawi with a chance to rally support among Iraqis still patient after decades of oppression under Saddam, American occupation and continuing uncertainty.
For his part, Allawi has taken a cautious approach to Sadr, saying he was still welcome to take part in the political process and blaming much of the current fighting on common criminals.
Even some Iraqis who say they would go to war for Sadr seem less radical than in April, when the fiery cleric led a Shia uprising against US forces in several cities.
He then signed a truce with US forces which collapsed after fresh fighting broke out last week.
"We will join Sadr's army. He offered a truce but Allawi has not responded," said Ali, 18. Moderate young men say life won't change in Sadr City unless the interim government takes control.
Taking a stand against the militiamen could be risky for teenagers who want to see Allawi stamp his authority along its potholed streets and dirt lanes piled high with garbage.
"The youth are not joining the Mehdi Army these days. But if we confront any of them they threaten us," said carpenter Mohammed Saleh, 19.
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