The Sardists has called for eviction of the US and its allies from Iraq even as it demanded that the siege of Sadr City be lifted. They also urged soldiers of the Iraqi army “not to fight your brothers.” This call is likely to be heeded by some since during fighting in Basra last month, at least 1,200 troops and policemen have deserted or switched to the Sadrists side.

On Saturday Sadr threatened to declare an “all-out liberation war” if Iraqi and US forces continue their campaign to crush his Mahdi Army militia in the south and the Sadr City district of Baghdad.

In a declaration issued by his office in the Shia holy city of Najaf, Sadr stated, “I am giving my last warning to the Iraqi government to take the path of peace and stop violence against its own people, otherwise it will be a government of destruction.”

He castigated the government for relying on “militias that have infiltrated the government,” notably the Mahdi Army’s rival, the Badr Corps militia belonging to the Supreme Iraqi Islamic Council, founded by Iran in 1982. He also condemned the Maliki government’s alliance with the US and its military. “The occupation has made us the target of its planes, tanks, air strikes and snipers.”

Hundreds of civilians have died during clashes since the government ordered the ongoing offensive on March 25.
Meanwhile, gunmen stopped several vehicles on a highway north of Baquba in central Iraq on Sunday and abducted two students, their minibus driver and the driver of a truck, police said.