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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 amid a pre-dawn offensive by Iraqi security forces against the Mehdi Army, a Shia militia.
Iraqi PM Nouri Maliki is in Basra overseeing the operation, a day after he vowed to "re-impose law" in the oil-rich city, the UK military said.
Eyewitnesses speak of plumes of smoke, explosions, tanks and artillery.Eyewitnesses speak of plumes of smoke, explosions, tanks and artillery.
The British military, which returned control of Basra to the Iraqis in December, said it was not involved.
A spokesman for UK forces, now based only at Basra airport, said the operation was being directed entirely by Iraqi troops and that Mr Maliki was overseeing it from a military base at an undisclosed location in the city.
Security clampdown
Authorities in Basra have already imposed an indefinite night-time curfew because of the security situation.Authorities in Basra have already imposed an indefinite night-time curfew because of the security situation.
Iraqi PM Nouri Maliki is in the city overseeing the operation, said the UK military, which returned control of Basra to the Iraqis in December.
A British military spokesman said the operation was being directed by Iraqi forces and that UK troops, now based at Basra airport, were not involved.
The Iraqi army conducted raids across Basra on Tuesday, while routes into the city have been sealed off, according to reports.The Iraqi army conducted raids across Basra on Tuesday, while routes into the city have been sealed off, according to reports.
Security clampdown
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.
On Monday, the Iraqi prime minister said the central government had decided to "re-impose security, stability and law" in the oil-rich city. 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."
But the powerful Mehdi Army - which is loyal to radical Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr - had warned it would retaliate if its members were targeted in any security clampdown. After Monday's curfew was imposed, the powerful Mehdi Army warned it would retaliate if its members were targeted in any security clampdown.
Last month the cleric renewed a ceasefire his 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.
But the militia is reportedly in the middle of a turf war with rival Shia militias. But it is reportedly in the middle of a turf war with rival Shia militias.
Despite its ceasefire, there have been a number of assassinations and kidnappings in its Basra stronghold. There have been a number of assassinations and kidnappings in its Basra stronghold.
Criminal gangs have been vying for control of lucrative oil-smuggling routes, say correspondents.Criminal gangs have been vying 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.
The BBC's Adam Brookes says the operation appears to be aimed at loosening the grip of militias and criminal gangs on Iraq's most economically important city.The BBC's Adam Brookes says the operation appears to be aimed at loosening the grip of militias and criminal gangs on Iraq's most economically important city.
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