Anti-U.S. cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has called for restraint in an apparent bid to exert control over his Mahdi Army militia fighters.

A statement read after Friday prayers in the holy city of Kufa says the Shiite militia will continue to resist U.S.-led forces in Iraq but fighting should be limited to a select group.

He says “weapons will be in the hands of this group exclusively and will only be directed at the occupier,” using standard rhetoric for the American forces in Iraq. He warns those who disobey will be “disowned by me.”

Continued fighting despite several cease-fires called by al-Sadr has raised questions about how much control he maintains over various militia factions.

The statement appears to be an attempt to assert control.