BAGHDAD, Iraq, Aug 11, SPA -- Firebrand Shiite cleric Muqtadaal-Sadr called on his followers Wednesday to keep up theirweeklong battle with U.S. forces, even if he is killed orcaptured. "I hope that you keep fighting even if you see medetained or martyred," al-Sadr said in a statement. The statement came after days of clashes between al-Sadr'sMahdi Army militia and coalition forces in a number ofShiite strongholds in Baghdad and southern Iraq. Al-Sadr claims the U.S. military has violated a series oftruces that ended a two-month Shiite uprising in earlyJune. He also accused the military of violating holy Shiiteshrines in the southern city of Najaf and insisted the U.S.government was still controlling Iraq through the appointedinterim government of Prime Minister Ayad Allawi. "I thank the dear fighters all over Iraq for what theyhave done to setback injustice," al-Sadr said. He also warned his followers in the south not to threatento secede from the rest of the country as a protest to thefighting. Al-Sadr said that "would only serve theinterests of the unjust." Al-Sadr also praised all those who have attempted tosettle the conflict peacefully.--SPA1255 Local Time 0955 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/190903