Baghdad:A prominent Iraqi cleric has called an anti-US army to arms following the death of a top Iranian general in an airstrike in Baghdad.

Muqtada al-Sadr tweeted that he was reactivating the army this morning following the death of Qasem Soleimani – an assassination that was ordered by Donald Trump.

‘I, as the official of the Iraqi National Resistance, give an order to the readiness of the Mujahideen to protect Iraq.’

He said ‘I, as the official of the Iraqi National Resistance, give an order to the readiness of the Mujahideen, especially the Imam Mahdi Army and the Promised Today Brigade and whoever commands our order from the national disciplined factions to be fully prepared to protect Iraq.’

In a tweet on Friday, Muqtada al-Sadr, expressed condolences over the martyrdom of IRGC Quds Force commander General Soleimani and Iraqi PMU leaders in a US airstrike in Baghdad.

Prominent Iraqi Cleric also offered condolences to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, the government, and the great nation of Iran. 

The assassination of Gen. Soleimani and a group of Iraqi PMU by global arrogance is as targeting Jihad and the international revolutionary spirit, he said, adding that it won’t diminish our resolve and effort.

“As the patron of the patriotic Iraqi resistance I order all mujahideen, especially the Mehdi Army, Promised Day Brigade, and all patriotic and disciplined groups to be ready to protect Iraq,” he said in a statement.