In a videotaped speech broadcast on Iraq television, Sadr also called on his forces from Saraya al-Salam, or Peace Brigades, to withdraw from the Iraqi territories that they control.

Sadr, however, said that his forces would remain in the holy Shia city of Samarra, north of Baghdad, NRT reported.

Sadr also urged most of Saraya al-Salam offices to be shut and directed his armed forces to suspend their military actions in those areas.

While speaking he discussed the unorganized armed forces within Hashid al-Shaabi and warned his listeners of them.

Moreover, he cautioned against the participation of any party under the banner of the Hashid al-Shaabi in the country’s upcoming elections.

“No leader from Hashid al-Shaabi must run in the upcoming elections and the name of Hashid al-Shaabi must be prevented in the electoral process,” he said.

The Iraqi government has decided to hold parliamentary and provincial elections on May next year.

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