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UK may return to Iraq crisis city UK may return to Iraq crisis city
(about 1 hour later)
British troops are getting ready to re-enter the southern Iraqi city of Amara, following serious clashes between militias and local police. British troops are on standby to re-enter Amara in southern Iraq after an outbreak of serious violence.
The Army could return there just two months after it pulled out if the Amara authorities ask for help, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed. The Army could return to the city just two months after it pulled out if the Amara authorities ask for help, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed.
Clashes between police and up to 300 gunmen have been reported. Clashes between police and up to 300 gunmen have left at least 12 people dead and dozens injured.
While the MoD described the situation as "calm but tense", Amara's council denied militias had "overrun" the city. Iraq officials say the violence has now been brought under control, but eyewitnesses report continuing gunfire.
The MoD pulled all UK troops out of Amara in August because the security situation was "relatively quiet" there.The MoD pulled all UK troops out of Amara in August because the security situation was "relatively quiet" there.
Iraqi forces took over security in the city - in the Maysan province - and British troops were given other responsibilities in the surrounding area. There were a number of clashes between the Iraqi police and rogue elements of militias Major Charlie BurbridgeBritish army
A spokeswoman for the MoD said it would be keeping a "close watch" on developments in Amara. Iraqi forces took over security in the city - in Maysan province - and British troops were given other responsibilities in the surrounding area.
At least 12 people have died in clashes between gunmen loyal to the radical Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr and local police. But about 700 Iraqi troops have been sent to Amara to deal with the current violence, and a 500-strong battle group of British soldiers has been put on standby.
Major Charlie Burbridge, based in Basra, confirmed that British forces were already providing air surveillance in the city.
He told Reuters news agency: "There were a number of clashes between the Iraqi police and rogue elements of militias in Amara.
"Some of these clashes became quite intense exchanges of fire."
High-level delegation
It is thought the violence was sparked on Thursday morning by the arrest of the brother of the local leader of the Mehdi militia, loyal to the radical Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr.
Gunmen attacked a number of police stations and scores of people were reported to have been injured.
A high-level delegation has been sent to the city by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki to seek a solution to the problem.
The UK military has been making moves to hand over power to Iraqi forces in Maysan, following transfers of power in Dhi Qar and Muthanna provinces earlier this year.The UK military has been making moves to hand over power to Iraqi forces in Maysan, following transfers of power in Dhi Qar and Muthanna provinces earlier this year.
Basra and Maysan are the only two provinces still under British control.Basra and Maysan are the only two provinces still under British control.