Iraqi cleric cancels plans for massive protest march

Shiite cleric Muqtada Sadr abruptly canceled plans for a massive anti-government and anti-U.S. march on Wednesday after accusing security forces of blocking followers from reaching the capital.

There had been concerns that the march would have aggravated tensions between Sadr and Prime Minister Nouri Maliki and led to increased clashes between Iraqi and U.S. forces battling Shiite militiamen.

Sadr announced his decision in a statement released by his office. He warned that he might reverse his official freeze on his Mahdi Army militia’s armed activities if his movement believed it served Iraq’s interests. Sadr’s freeze, which was first announced in late August, has all but frayed since the Iraqi government launched a military campaign in Basra last month. However, the movement says it continues to honor the truce despite the fighting in Basra and clashes that have erupted in recent days in Baghdad’s Sadr City.

Even without the march, the potential for fresh bloodshed remains. Residents of Sadr City, the site of intense fighting between the Mahdi Army and Iraqi and American troops, reported gun battles today. An official at Sadr City’s Imam Ali hospital said at least 15 wounded civilians had arrived at the hospital today. Police in Sadr City reported 12 deaths in the latest violence, including a mortar attack and an airstrike by U.S. forces.

There was no immediate confirmation from the U.S. military about American actions in Sadr City today. A statement released this morning said an American soldier had died in fighting in the capital the previous night, the fourth U.S. troop member killed Monday.

tina.susman@latimes.com

ned.parker@latimes.com