Radical Shiite leader Moqtada al-Sadr acknowledged Friday that some of his subordinates were breaking away.
In a rare statement, the reclusive anti-U.S. firebrand also explained why he has not been seen for months and vowed to stay with followers.
"Some people believed to be loyal followers are not obeying the instructions of their religious leaders and involved in political conflicts," Sadr said.
"Many followers have split from me for many reasons, some of them want to be independent," he said.
The statement came about two weeks after he announced to extend a ceasefire, which was first declared last August, for another six months.
The truce by Sadr's Mehdi Army militia was among the three major reasons for improved security over the past several months.
The U.S. military praised his decision, but noted some of his commanders have been ignoring his order and engaged in continued attacks.
Sadr withdrew his ministers from the government last April in protest of the government's refusal of rejecting foreign military presence.
He has spirited away since last May and reportedly been honing his Islamic learning to attain higher religious titles.
In the statement carried on the Website of his bloc, Sadr said his late father told him to spend more time in studying.
Meanwhile, Sadr pledged he will be living with followers "unless death separates us."
The hardliner also deplored that he was not able to expel foreign troops from Iraq, explaining that he chose the reclusive life as a protest of the "occupiers."
Source: Xinhua
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