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Fresh clashes grip southern Iraq Fresh clashes grip southern Iraq
(about 3 hours later)
Heavy fighting has continued for a third day between Shia militias and the Iraqi security forces in southern Iraq.Heavy fighting has continued for a third day between Shia militias and the Iraqi security forces in southern Iraq.
There are reports of extensive exchanges of fire between the Iraqi army and militiamen in Basra and in the town of Hilla, just south of Baghdad.There are reports of extensive exchanges of fire between the Iraqi army and militiamen in Basra and in the town of Hilla, just south of Baghdad.
More than 70 people have died and hundreds have been injured in days of violence sparked by an Iraqi crackdown on Shia militias in Basra.More than 70 people have died and hundreds have been injured in days of violence sparked by an Iraqi crackdown on Shia militias in Basra.
There have also been violent clashes in Kut and the capital, Baghdad. Iraqi PM Nouri Maliki vowed to fight Basra's Shia militias "until the end".
On Wednesday, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki gave Shia militants in Basra 72 hours to lay down their arms or face "severe penalties". "We have made up our minds to enter this battle and we will continue until the end. No retreat," said Mr Maliki in a speech broadcast on Iraqi state television.
On Wednesday, the prime minister, who has personally overseen the operation in Basra, gave Shia militants there 72 hours to lay down their arms or face "severe penalties".
The leader of the Mehdi Army, Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr, has spoken of the possibility of negotiations to end the violence.The leader of the Mehdi Army, Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr, has spoken of the possibility of negotiations to end the violence.
GunfightsGunfights
In Basra, police chief Adbul Jalil Khalaf said he survived an assassination attempt overnight, in which three of his bodyguards were killed.In Basra, police chief Adbul Jalil Khalaf said he survived an assassination attempt overnight, in which three of his bodyguards were killed.
Residents in the city have said that they are beginning to run out of food and water.Residents in the city have said that they are beginning to run out of food and water.
One told the BBC that the Iraqi army broke into shops, took food and water, then set fire to shops and cars on the street.One told the BBC that the Iraqi army broke into shops, took food and water, then set fire to shops and cars on the street.
BASRA KEY FACTS Third largest city, population 2.6 million approxLocated on the Shatt al-Arab waterway leading to the Gulf - making it a centre for commerce and oil exportsRegion around city has substantial oil resources4,000 UK troops based at international airport The struggle for BasraLife under fire BASRA KEY FACTS Third largest city, population 2.6 million approxLocated on the Shatt al-Arab waterway leading to the Gulf - making it a centre for commerce and oil exportsRegion around city has substantial oil resources4,000 UK troops based at international airport The struggle for BasraLife under fire class="" href="/1/hi/business/7316138.stm">Oil soars above $107
"I am trying to look out of the window now, but I can't - the smoke's really heavy and smells really bad. Everything is burnt," he said."I am trying to look out of the window now, but I can't - the smoke's really heavy and smells really bad. Everything is burnt," he said.
An oil pipeline near Basra, which carries oil for export, was damaged by a bomb.An oil pipeline near Basra, which carries oil for export, was damaged by a bomb.
A Southern Oil Company official told the Reuters news agency that the main pumping station of Zubair 1 was shut down and that exports would be greatly affected. A Southern Oil Company official told Reuters news agency the main pumping station of Zubair 1 had been shut down and that exports would be greatly affected.
"Firefighters are struggling to control the fire, which is huge. A lot of crude has spilt onto the ground... We will not be able to repair it unless security is provided for the crews," he said.
In other developments across the country:In other developments across the country:
  • The FBI said it had recovered the bodies of two US security contractors kidnapped in Iraq in 2006
  • A prominent civilian spokesman for the Baghdad security operation, Tahseen Sheikhly, a Sunni who often appeared with US officials at news conferences, was kidnapped by gunmen from his home in the capital
  • Thousands of Sadr supporters gathered in Baghdad's Sadr City, a vast Shia-dominated suburb, to demand Mr Maliki's resignation over the military operation
  • Thousands of Sadr supporters gathered in Baghdad's Sadr City, a vast Shia-dominated suburb, to demand Mr Maliki's resignation over the military operation
  • Baghdad's fortified Green Zone was again hit by several rounds of rockets, causing a fire, Iraqi and US embassy officials said
  • Baghdad's fortified Green Zone was again hit by several rounds of rockets, causing a fire, Iraqi and US embassy officials said
  • Iraqi police in Kut said dozens of people were killed in clashes on Thursday between Iraqi and US forces, and Shia militiamen, the AFP news agency reported
  • Iraqi police in Kut said dozens of people were killed in clashes on Thursday between Iraqi and US forces, and Shia militiamen, the AFP news agency reported
  • There have also been clashes through the night and the early morning in the towns of Hilla and Diwaniya
  • There have also been clashes through the night and the early morning in the towns of Hilla and Diwaniya
  • Late on Wednesday, a US military air raid called in support of Iraqi forces in Hilla caused a number of casualties
    • Power strugglePower struggle
    The number of gunfights in southern Iraq appears to be growing, says the BBC's Crispin Thorold in Baghdad.The number of gunfights in southern Iraq appears to be growing, says the BBC's Crispin Thorold in Baghdad.
    The fighting still seems to be mainly with members of the Mehdi Army, our correspondent says.The fighting still seems to be mainly with members of the Mehdi Army, our correspondent says.
    Baghdad's Green Zone has been targeted by insurgents againThe Medhi Army had held to a ceasefire for more than a year, contributing to the general fall in violence across Iraq. Baghdad's Green Zone has been targeted by insurgents againThe Medhi Army had held to a ceasefire since last August, contributing to the general fall in violence across Iraq.
    It is not clear what has prompted the government crackdown at this time. The government says its campaign aims to re-impose law and order in Basra.It is not clear what has prompted the government crackdown at this time. The government says its campaign aims to re-impose law and order in Basra.
    However, Sadrists say the government is attempting to weaken the militias before local elections scheduled for October.However, Sadrists say the government is attempting to weaken the militias before local elections scheduled for October.
    At stake, analysts say, is control of Iraq's only port city and the region's oil fields.At stake, analysts say, is control of Iraq's only port city and the region's oil fields.