The followers of radical Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr occupied three offices of a rival Shiite group in Baghdad on Wednesday, Iraqi police sources told Xinhua.

The followers of Sadr, known as the Medhi Army, attacked offices of the Badr Brigade in Sadr City, Al-Shaab and Al-Amel districts of the capital, the sources said.

The attacks followed clashes between the Mehdi Army and members of the Badr Brigade in Najaf, south of Baghdad, on Wednesday, Sadr's representative in Baghdad, Abdul Hadi al-Daraji told Xinhua.

Seven of Sadr's followers were killed and dozens were injured in the clashes, said National Assembly member Bahra al-Alaji.

A curfew is now imposed in the holy city , a source told Xinhua.

The Badr Brigade is the militia branch of a major Shiite political group, the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq.

In the meantime, 23 parliamentarians suspended their membership and three ministers suspended their work in the Iraqi government on Wednesday to show support for Sadr, Alaji told Xinhua.

The three ministers are transportation minister, electricity minister and health minister, he said.

The clashes come at a time when Shiite and Kurdish politicians are trying to push through a draft constitution at the parliament while Sunni Arabs strongly oppose the inclusion of federalism in the charter

Sadr has been an outspoken opponent against US occupation in Iraq and the concept of federalism. He led two uprisings against the US troops last year.

Earlier this week, he called on his supporters to protest against the draft constitution.

Source: Xinhua