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Fresh clashes break out in Basra Fresh clashes break out in Basra
(10 minutes later)
Reports from the Iraqi city of Basra say fresh fighting has erupted between government forces and local militia. Reports from the Iraqi city of Basra say there have been fresh clashes between Iraqi forces and local militia.
Iraqi Army units, supported by US and UK forces, sealed off the central Hayania district and conducted a weapons search.Iraqi Army units, supported by US and UK forces, sealed off the central Hayania district and conducted a weapons search.
An Iraqi commander called it a minor operation, but local reports say it met fierce resistance. An Iraqi commander called it a minor operation, but local reports say it met fierce resistance. The latest reports say the fighting is now subsiding.
Hayania is a stronghold of the Mehdi Army, and was at the centre of clashes that shook Basra three weeks ago. Hayania was at the centre of clashes in Basra three weeks ago.
It is a stronghold of the Mehdi Army, which is loyal to Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr.
The BBC's Crispin Thorold, in Baghdad, said the latest operation in Basra included a show of force by US and UK forces, who pounded a deserted area of the district with artillery.The BBC's Crispin Thorold, in Baghdad, said the latest operation in Basra included a show of force by US and UK forces, who pounded a deserted area of the district with artillery.
The field commander of Iraqi forces in Baghdad, Lt Gen Mohan Furaiji, confirmed that Iraqi Army units had entered Hayania and were conducting searches for illegally held weapons.The field commander of Iraqi forces in Baghdad, Lt Gen Mohan Furaiji, confirmed that Iraqi Army units had entered Hayania and were conducting searches for illegally held weapons.
He said local people had mostly been supportive, but admitted there had been "some opposition".He said local people had mostly been supportive, but admitted there had been "some opposition".
However, local sources spoke of heavy clashes.However, local sources spoke of heavy clashes.
They report continued sporadic fighting.
Basra was the scene of intense fighting some three weeks ago, after Iraqi forces made an attempt to disarm militias operating in the city.Basra was the scene of intense fighting some three weeks ago, after Iraqi forces made an attempt to disarm militias operating in the city.
Operation criticisedOperation criticised
That operation ground to a halt when the army faced considerable resistance from the militias, including the Mehdi Army, which is loyal to Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr. That operation ground to a halt when the army faced considerable resistance from the militias, including the Mehdi Army.
The fighting spread to various parts of Iraq, hundreds of people were killed and thousands of civilians were trapped in their homes for days on end.The fighting spread to various parts of Iraq, hundreds of people were killed and thousands of civilians were trapped in their homes for days on end.
The militias were never disarmed, only promising to take their weapons off the streets.The militias were never disarmed, only promising to take their weapons off the streets.
The operation was criticised by US commanders as poorly planned and as failing to achieve its stated aims.The operation was criticised by US commanders as poorly planned and as failing to achieve its stated aims.
Gen Furaiji, the architect of the operation, was moved back to Baghdad, but the Iraqi government insisted he was not being fired.Gen Furaiji, the architect of the operation, was moved back to Baghdad, but the Iraqi government insisted he was not being fired.