Al Sadr to Form New Group to Fight Coalition Forces

"We will keep resisting the occupier until the liberation (of Iraq) or (our) martyrdom." I think it will be the later. AFP

KUFA, Iraq (AFP) — Hardline Iraqi Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr said on Friday he plans to form a new wing of his powerful movement to battle US forces, allowing other members to focus on social issues.

In a statement issued to his nearly 60,000 strong Mahdi Army militia, he said the fight against US troops will now be waged only by the new group, while other members will "take on a social and religious role."

"The resistance will be carried out exclusively by a special group which I will announce later," Sadr said in a statement read out at mosques in the holy Shiite town of Kufa.

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However, Sadr also urged others in his militia to lay down their arms to work on building social, cultural and religious services in Iraq's dominant Shiite community.

"Brothers, you should follow this recommendation, and anyone who does not obey will not be with me."

Sadr spokesman Salah al-Obeidi told AFP the action was aimed at building a more comprehensive movement that could better serve its followers.

"Sadr's view is to take the Mahdi Army on the path of social and cultural activities, far from the military. He wants to reform it and limit its responsibility," he said.

The announcement came amid controversy in Iraq and in neighbouring Iran over negotiations between Baghdad and Washington for a new pact to cover the US military presence when a UN mandate expires at the end of the year.

"We refuse the current agreement. Any kind of American troops base inside Iraq is bad for Iraqi future," Obeidi said.

US President George W. Bush and Maliki agreed in principle last November to sign a Status of Forces Agreement by the end of July, but US demands have enraged various Iraqi political groups.