Sadr calls for blood oath of resistance

KUFA, Iraq, Aug. 15 (UPI) -- Radical Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr issued a statement during Friday prayers calling on Iraqis to sign a blood oath of resistance against the U.S. occupation.

Clerics in the holy city of Kufa Friday read a statement from Sadr calling on his supporters to sign a blood oath to Shiite savior Imam Hujjat al-Mehdi, the 12th and last imam, as a symbolic pledge to resist the occupation of Iraq, the Iranian Press TV reported.

Saleh al-Obeidi, the spokesman for Sadr, said a solidarity movement among Shiites had already begun throughout the country in opposition to U.S. forces.

Sadr issued a pamphlet during Friday prayers Aug. 5 saying it was unlawful for his supporters to carry arms and called for the establishment of a social-services group within his militia, the Mehdi Army.

Obeidi said the solidarity movement embraced spirituality rather than politics, noting resistance should continue with or without U.S. occupation.

Security was on high alert Friday as pilgrims flocked to the region to celebrate the birth of the Mehdi.