<http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/16/AR2007031602227.html?nav=hcmodule> Sadr Urges Followers to Resist U.S. Forces; Thousands Rally
By Karin Brulliard and Sudarsan Raghavan Washington Post Staff Writers Saturday, March 17, 2007; A12
BAGHDAD, March 16 -- Firebrand Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr on Friday called upon followers inside his stronghold of Sadr City to resist U.S. forces who are trying to stabilize the capital. Officials in his organization said the cleric was advocating a peaceful uprising.
"Raise your voices, all of you loving your brothers and united against your enemy saying as your leader taught you, 'No America, no Israel, no, no Satan,' by standing and demonstrating that way," Sadr said in a message distributed at the Kufa mosque in southern Iraq, according to a translation by the Washington-based SITE Institute, which tracks militant groups. In recent weeks, Sadr has appeared to cooperate with U.S. and Iraqi troops as they implement a month-old security plan in Baghdad and other parts of the country, even as he has continued to criticize the American presence in Iraq.
On Friday, thousands of Sadr's followers demonstrated in several parts of Iraq, including Sadr City, to protest the U.S. role. They denounced the neighborhood security outposts and garrisons being set up under the plan and demanded a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops.
Sadr's statement came one day after gunmen attacked a convoy carrying the mayor of Sadr City, Rahim al-Darraji, leaving him seriously wounded and killing at least two of his bodyguards. Darraji, a Sadr appointee, took part in negotiations with U.S. officials to allow American troops to conduct security sweeps and build a garrison in Sadr City.
It was unclear whether Sadr, whose Mahdi Army militia has often attacked U.S. and Iraqi forces, was issuing a call to arms. "The statement calls for calming down and self-control and to be careful and cautious of the occupation forces and their agents, because we have become surrounded by them from all sides," said Haider al-Tarfy, a senior Sadr representative. Friday's communique was not Sadr's first condemnation of the American presence.
Last week, Sadr asked his supporters to "demand the occupier leaves our dear Iraq so that we could live in independence and stability." In late February, he said, "The security plan will not be good if it is controlled and ruled by our enemies, the occupiers." Those statements did not incite violence.
As U.S. troops have carried out raids in Sadr City as part of the security plan, the Mahdi Army has lain low. Friday's statement appeared to address recent public comments by U.S. military officials suggesting that the militia's low profile represented tacit cooperation with the security plan.
"And here you are standing up for the support of your beloved city; this city which the occupier wanted to harm, and tarnish its reputation by spreading false propaganda and rumors and claiming that there are negotiation and collaboration between you and them," the statement continued. "But I am sure that you consider them as your enemies."
Sadr's whereabouts are unknown. U.S. military officials believe he has fled to Iran; his supporters say he remains in Iraq.
One high-level Sadr City official said Friday that he believed Darraji, the Sadr City mayor, was targeted for working with the Americans and backing the security plan, and that Sadr's militia was probably to blame. He declined to be identified further out of fear for his life.
"The investigation is still in the beginning," the official said. "But all the accusations are against the Mahdi Army."
The official said Darraji's shooting could jeopardize the calm in Sadr City, causing residents to turn against the security plan and possibly leading to a return to violence.
Two Mahdi Army leaders reached Friday denied that the militia was behind the shooting. Hamza Hussein, who leads a small team of fighters, said the Mahdi Army has no interest in stirring new chaos.
"People are becoming thirsty for peace, for security, right now," Hussein said. "We all depend on the government and the security forces."
Mohammed Kasim, another militia commander, echoed Sadr, saying a U.S. withdrawal would be "for the good of Iraq."
Special correspondents Waleed Saffar and Saad Sarhan in Baghdad and staff researcher Robert E. Thomason in Washington contributed to this report. -- Yoshie