Sadr urges supporters to resist U.S.

Sadr supporters took to the streets of Sadr City following the reading of the message. Sadr's whereabouts are unknown, though the U.S. says he is in Iran, and it has been many weeks since Sadr appeared in public or attended prayers at his mosque outside Kufa.

BAGHDAD: A Sadr City mosque preacher read out a statement at Friday prayers from radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, who called on his followers to "shout 'No, No America,'" a potential sign of building anger and opposition to the month-old Baghdad security plan...

"The occupiers want to harm this beloved (Sadr City) and tarnish its name by spreading false rumors and allegations that negotiations and cooperation are ongoing between you and them," the statement said. "I am confident that you will not make concessions to them and will remain above them. Raise your voices in love and brotherhood and unity against your enemy and shout 'No, no America'"...

The reference in the al-Sadr statement to "negotiations" may have been penned as a reminder to followers not to go too far in cooperating the Americans.

Read the rest at the International Herald Tribune

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