ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - The leader of Iraq’s National Shiite Movement, Muqtada al-Sadr, has called on his followers to remain disciplined and avoid responding to provocations by rival groups ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections, warning that “some are fishing in troubled waters.”

In a written statement on Saturday, Sadr said his directive came in response to recent incidents of campaign poster removals and rising political tensions in several provinces. He emphasized the need for calm and restraint, describing discipline as essential to protecting Iraq’s stability during the election period.

The influential Shiite cleric announced his withdrawal from and boycott of the elections in March, denouncing the process as corrupt and warning that Iraq was “taking its last breaths” under foreign influence and entrenched political forces. 

The statement followed the circulation of a video on social media earlier on Saturday showing several of Sadr’s supporters removing election posters belonging to other candidates placed near a large image of the cleric in one of Basra’s main streets.

In the video, the man filming said: “No one is allowed to put their picture in front of the image of the martyr Mohammad al-Sadr or the image of the leader Sayyid Muqtada al-Sadr. A message to all candidates: we will remove any posters placed in front of theirs.”

Responding to a question from the ‘Jihadi Aide’ Office of Saraya al-Salam (Peace Brigades), the movement's armed wing, Sadr said:

 “Given the provocations faced by followers of the righteous path in most Iraqi provinces due to the approaching parliamentary elections (sixth term) and the tensions they bring, including the tearing of candidates’ posters and other disturbances, the leaderships of the divisions and brigades in all provinces have been directed to maintain discipline and not be drawn into provocations by any side.”

He added, “There are those fishing in troubled waters, so we inform you that Saraya al-Salam are fully aware of their responsibilities, God willing.”

Sadr warned on September 29 that political tensions are likely to escalate ahead of Iraq’s parliamentary elections, accusing rival factions of being “lovers of power and seekers of seats.” In a lengthy post on X, Sadr said his National Shiite Movement would remain outside the electoral process but was prepared to confront any attempts to disrupt stability.

He rejected accusations that his movement planned to interfere with the vote, calling them political fabrications from groups that “fear losing their current spoils.”

Sadr argued that the elections were becoming “hollow,” allowing corrupt figures to stay in power, and warned that those behind such manipulation would ultimately face public backlash once results were announced.