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Fierce clashes break out in Basra Fierce clashes break out in Basra
(20 minutes later)
Heavy fighting has erupted in Iraq's southern city of Basra between Iraqi security forces and members of the Mehdi Army, a Shia militia.Heavy fighting has erupted in Iraq's southern city of Basra between Iraqi security forces and members of the Mehdi Army, a Shia militia.
Police and military sources confirmed an operation was under way against the group and eyewitnesses speak of plumes of smoke and the sound of explosions. Eyewitnesses speak of plumes of smoke and the sound of explosions.
The city authorities have already imposed an indefinite night-time curfew because of the security situation.The city authorities have already imposed an indefinite night-time curfew because of the security situation.
The powerful militia is loyal to radical Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr. The Mehdi Army is reportedly in the middle of a turf war with rival Shia militias. The British handed control of Basra back to the Iraqis in December.
Officials at the city's hospitals on Tuesday said a number of wounded people had been brought in.
The fighting comes a day after a visit to the city by Prime Minister Nouri Maliki.The fighting comes a day after a visit to the city by Prime Minister Nouri Maliki.
During his visit he said the government had "decided to re-impose security, stability and law" in Basra. During his visit he said the government had decided to "re-impose security, stability and law" in the oil-rich city.
The Mehdi Army warned on Monday it would retaliate if its members were targeted in any security clampdown. The powerful Mehdi Army - which is loyal to radical Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr - warned on Monday it would retaliate if its members were targeted in any security clampdown.
Last month Moqtada Sadr renewed a ceasefire his group had been observing since last August, but there are reports it is locked in a turf war with other Shia groups. Last month the cleric renewed a ceasefire his group had been observing since last August.
British forces handed over control of Basra to the Iraqis last December.
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