Iraq's Sadr warns of suicide bombs if U.S. attacks

KUFA, Iraq, April 23 (Reuters) - Rebel Iraqi cleric Moqtada al-Sadr said on Friday he could unleash suicide bombers if U.S. forces attacked the holy Shi'ite city of Najaf, and called on the whole nation to unite to expel Iraq's occupiers.

U.S. forces are poised just outside Najaf and have vowed to kill or capture Sadr and destroy his Mehdi Army militia, which has clashed with foreign forces across south and central Iraq.

Speaking at Friday prayers in Kufa, next to Najaf, Sadr told thousands of Shi'ites Najaf would never fall to the occupiers.

"We will shed blood to keep our holy city," he said. "Lots of believers, men and women, came to me and asked permission to become martyrs and to execute martyrdom operations.

more