Resist U.S. forces, Iraqis told

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Firebrand Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr on Friday called upon followers inside his stronghold of Sadr City to resist U.S. forces who are trying to stabilize the capital. Officials in his organization said the cleric was advocating a peaceful uprising.

"Raise your voices, all of you loving your brothers and united against your enemy saying as your leader taught you: 'No America, no Israel, no, no Satan,' by standing and demonstrating that way," al-Sadr said in a message distributed at a mosque in southern Iraq, according to a translation by the Washington-based SITE Institute, which tracks militant groups.

In recent weeks, al-Sadr has appeared to cooperate with U.S. and Iraqi troops as they implement a month-old security plan in Baghdad and other parts of the country, even as he has continued to criticize the U.S. presence in Iraq.

On Friday, thousands of al-Sadr's followers demonstrated in several parts of Iraq, including Sadr City, to protest the U.S. role. They denounced the neighborhood security outposts and garrisons being set up under the plan and demanded a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops.

Al-Sadr's statement came one day after gunmen attacked a convoy carrying the mayor of Sadr City, Rahim al-Darraji, leaving him seriously wounded and killing at least two of his bodyguards. Al-Darraji, an al-Sadr appointee, took part in negotiations with U.S. officials to allow U.S. troops to conduct security sweeps and build a garrison in Sadr City.

Comments unclear

It was unclear whether al-Sadr, whose Mahdi Army militia has often attacked U.S. and Iraqi forces, was issuing a call to arms. "The statement calls for calming down and self-control and to be careful and cautious of the occupation forces and their agents, because we have become surrounded by them from all sides," said Haider al-Tarfy, a senior al-Sadr representative.

Iraq developments

Basra escape: Britain reported Friday that 10 inmates at a detention facility in Basra escaped this week after swapping clothes with their visitors.

U.S. deaths: The U.S. military said Friday that two U.S. troops died Thursday. A soldier was killed by an explosion during fighting in Salahuddin province, and a Marine died in a noncombat incident in Anbar Province.

Soldier guilty: A Fort Campbell, Ky., military panel on Friday found Staff Sgt. Ray Girouard, 24, guilty of three counts of negligent homicide in the deaths of three Iraqi detainees. He was also found guilty of obstruction of justice, conspiracy and failure to obey a general order.

Troop boost: Thousands of additional U.S. military support troops are flowing into Iraq to bolster the increase of 21,500 combat troops ordered by President Bush in January, bringing the total to about 28,700. The Army said Friday it will accelerate by 45 days the deployment of an aviation brigade with more than 2,600 troops.

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Last week, al-Sadr asked his supporters to "demand the occupier leaves our dear Iraq so that we could live in independence and stability." Late last month he said, "The security plan will not be good if it is controlled and ruled by our enemies, the occupiers."

As U.S. troops have carried out raids through Sadr City as part of the security plan, the Mahdi Army has lain low. Friday's statement appeared to address recent public comments by U.S. military officials that the militia's low profile represented tacit cooperation with the security plan.

"And here you are standing up for the support of your beloved city; this city which the occupier wanted to harm, and tarnish its reputation by spreading false propaganda and rumors and claiming that there are negotiation and collaboration between you and them," the statement continued. "But I am sure that you consider them as your enemies."

Cleric in Iran?

Al-Sadr's whereabouts are unknown. U.S. military officials believe he has fled to Iran; his supporters say he remains in Iraq.

One high-level Sadr City official said Friday that he believed al-Darraji, the Sadr City mayor, was targeted for working with the Americans and backing the security plan, and that al-Sadr's militia was likely to blame. He declined to be identified further out of fear for his life.

"The investigation is still in the beginning," the official said. "But all the accusations are against the Mahdi Army."

The official said the shooting could jeopardize the calm in Sadr City.

Two Mahdi Army leaders reached Friday denied the militia was behind the shooting. Hamza Hussein, who leads a small team of fighters, said the Mahdi Army has no interest in stirring new chaos.