Given the number that deserted in earlier clashes between Iraqi government forces and Sadr’s jihadists, there are all too likely some who will try to carry out this order. And this is Sadr trying to show his “peaceful” side. “Al-Sadr threatens ‘open war’ on ‘occupiers,’ not Iraq,” from CNN:
BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) — Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr threatened “open war,” against the American “occupiers” and not the Iraqi government, according to a letter read by a top aide during Friday prayers.
“When we threatened to declare an open war until the liberation, we meant war against the occupier,” al-Sadr said in his letter. “There is no war between us and our Iraqi brothers — no matter what their nationality, race or sect. The blood of Iraqis are forbidden on you.”
He encouraged not only his Mehdi Army militia to fight U.S. troops, but also every Iraqi, including the nation’s security forces which are in league with U.S. troops.
“I direct my speech to all government security forces and others, and all the religious and political forces, if this open war is between us and the occupier, you should not interfere in the favor of the occupier,” the letter said. “We want to liberate you and your lands from the occupiers, so our government would be a full sovereign government.”
On Saturday, al-Sadr issued what he called a “last warning” and told his followers in Sadr City to fight the “occupier” there.
Despite the threat, al-Sadr has a freeze on Mehdi Army military activities, said Saleh al-Ageili, a spokesman for Sadr’s parliamentary bloc. Al-Sadr said earlier this month that if he called off the freeze, he would issue a separate statement, al-Ageili said.
Al-Sadr praised members of his Mehdi Army for obeying the freeze in his letter Friday.
“The enemy is waiting for the chance to attack you,” al-Sadr said. “Damn the occupier and his work, which raised the hand of violence and death against your children, women, elders and your scholars.”
He continued, “And you — still patient — you showed the clear, white face of al-Sadr and his family, and you have been the people of peace, the people of Islam.”
“People of peace” just happens to be catchier than “people of a freeze in hostilities which I can call off at any moment.”
Al-Sadr said he would not accept the long-term agreement which the U.S. and Iraqi governments are crafting to replace the current U.N. mandate for multi-national forces in Iraq. The U.N. mandate expires in December.
“There should be no long-term security agreement between the government and occupier, no matter how hard they fight us and no matter how much of our blood is spilled,” he said. “We will not accept to divide Iraq and to steal its wealth.”