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Fierce clashes break out in Basra Iraq forces battle Basra militias
(about 1 hour later)
Heavy fighting has erupted in Basra amid a major pre-dawn offensive by thousands of Iraqi troops against rival Shia militias in the southern city. Heavy fighting has been raging in Basra following a major pre-dawn offensive by thousands of Iraqi troops against rival Shia militias in the southern city.
Iraqi PM Nouri Maliki is in Basra overseeing the operation, a day after he visited and vowed to "re-impose law", the UK military said.Iraqi PM Nouri Maliki is in Basra overseeing the operation, a day after he visited and vowed to "re-impose law", the UK military said.
Eyewitnesses speak of plumes of smoke, explosions, tanks and artillery.Eyewitnesses speak of plumes of smoke, explosions, tanks and artillery.
Oil-rich Basra is in the grip of a turf war between armed groups, including the powerful Mehdi Army, say analysts.Oil-rich Basra is in the grip of a turf war between armed groups, including the powerful Mehdi Army, say analysts.
The BBC's Adam Brookes says three Iraqi army brigades were deployed from Baghdad to Basra for Tuesday's operation, and that up to 15,000 troops could be involved. The BBC's Adam Brookes says three Iraqi army brigades were deployed from Baghdad to Basra as back-up for Tuesday's operation, and that up to 15,000 troops could be involved.
Security clampdownSecurity clampdown
Coalition aircraft are patrolling the skies above Basra to help Iraqi forces if needed, British military spokesman Major Tom Holloway told the BBC. Coalition aircraft are patrolling the skies above Basra to help Iraqi forces if needed, British military spokesman Maj Tom Holloway told the BBC.
He said the UK military, which returned control of Basra to the Iraqis in December and concentrated its forces at the city airport, had no troops involved in the operation.He said the UK military, which returned control of Basra to the Iraqis in December and concentrated its forces at the city airport, had no troops involved in the operation.
It was being directed by the Iraqis and Mr Maliki was overseeing it from an Iraqi military base at an undisclosed location in the city, the UK military said. The raids come a day after a curfew was imposed in Basra
It was being directed by the Iraqis and Mr Maliki was supervising it from an Iraqi military base at an undisclosed location in the city, the UK military said.
The Iraqi army conducted raids across Basra, while routes into the city have been sealed off, according to reports.The Iraqi army conducted raids across Basra, while routes into the city have been sealed off, according to reports.
Officials at the city's hospitals said a number of wounded people had been brought in.Officials at the city's hospitals said a number of wounded people had been brought in.
At least four people had been killed and 18 wounded in the clashes, police Maj Abbas Youssef told AFP news agency.
A military official in Basra told Reuters news agency: "Basra is half empty. There are no vehicles and no one is going to work. People are afraid to go out."A military official in Basra told Reuters news agency: "Basra is half empty. There are no vehicles and no one is going to work. People are afraid to go out."
It comes a day after the authorities in Basra imposed an indefinite night-time curfew.It comes a day after the authorities in Basra imposed an indefinite night-time curfew.
The Mehdi Army warned on Monday it would retaliate if its members were targeted in any security clampdown.The Mehdi Army warned on Monday it would retaliate if its members were targeted in any security clampdown.
The militia is loyal to radical Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr, who last month renewed a ceasefire the group had been observing since last August.The militia is loyal to radical Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr, who last month renewed a ceasefire the group had been observing since last August.
Under the truce, the militia pledged not to attack rival armed groups or American forces in Iraq.
US military officials have publicly recognised the impact of the move in helping to stabilise parts of the country.
Despite the ceasefire, there have been a number of assassinations and kidnappings in its Basra stronghold, as armed groups vie for control of lucrative oil-smuggling routes, say correspondents.Despite the ceasefire, there have been a number of assassinations and kidnappings in its Basra stronghold, as armed groups vie for control of lucrative oil-smuggling routes, say correspondents.
The oil fields in the Basra area are the source of most of Iraq's revenues.The oil fields in the Basra area are the source of most of Iraq's revenues.
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