Iraq must not isolate Sadr movement: deputy PM

By Dean Yates

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq's government will pursue its war on militias but must avoid isolating the movement of Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr or pushing his followers into the arms of groups bent on chaos, the deputy prime minister says.

Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki launched an offensive against militias a month ago, sparking fighting with Sadr's Mehdi Army that has led to hundreds of deaths.

Some analysts say if the government pushes too hard -- including carrying out a threat to bar the Sadr movement from October elections unless the Mehdi Army is disbanded -- the cleric could launch a full-scale uprising.

Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih said the government had to distinguish between Sadr's mass movement and so-called "special groups", which the U.S. military says are rogue Mehdi Army elements backed by Iran.

"This a major political challenge for us as a government, to avoid pushing the followers of the Sadr movement together with the special groups," Salih said in an interview this week.

"On the other hand, leaders of the Sadr movement must also help in distinguishing themselves and their followers from these bad elements who are trying to hijack their movement to use it as a cover for their malicious agenda."

The U.S. military accuses Shi'ite Iran of giving arms, funds and training to the "special groups". Iran denies the allegations.

Maliki says his crackdown is designed to disarm militias, but Sadr's followers see it as an attempt to sideline the movement before provincial elections on October 1.