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Baghdad under curfew amid clashes Baghdad under curfew amid clashes
(20 minutes later)
A curfew has been imposed on Baghdad amid continuing clashes between Shia militias and Iraqi security forces.A curfew has been imposed on Baghdad amid continuing clashes between Shia militias and Iraqi security forces.
The curfew will last from 2300 (2000 GMT) on Thursday until 0500 on Sunday to "protect civilians", officials say.The curfew will last from 2300 (2000 GMT) on Thursday until 0500 on Sunday to "protect civilians", officials say.
More than 130 people have died since a clampdown on Shia militias in the southern city of Basra started on Tuesday. Unrest has spread to Baghdad.More than 130 people have died since a clampdown on Shia militias in the southern city of Basra started on Tuesday. Unrest has spread to Baghdad.
Earlier US President George W Bush praised Iraqi PM Nouri Maliki's decision to order the crackdown.Earlier US President George W Bush praised Iraqi PM Nouri Maliki's decision to order the crackdown.
Heavy fighting between the Shia Mehdi Army, led by radical Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr, has continued in Basra for a third day, with violence in other parts of southern Iraq.Heavy fighting between the Shia Mehdi Army, led by radical Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr, has continued in Basra for a third day, with violence in other parts of southern Iraq.
Late on Thursday, Sadr called for a political solution to the crisis.Late on Thursday, Sadr called for a political solution to the crisis.
In a statement relayed by his aide Hazem al-Aaraji, he said he wants "everyone to pursue political solutions and peaceful protests and a stop to the shedding of Iraqi blood".In a statement relayed by his aide Hazem al-Aaraji, he said he wants "everyone to pursue political solutions and peaceful protests and a stop to the shedding of Iraqi blood".
Mr Maliki earlier vowed that he would continue the fight against the militias for as long as was necessary.Mr Maliki earlier vowed that he would continue the fight against the militias for as long as was necessary.
"We have made up our minds to enter this battle and we will continue until the end. No retreat," Mr Maliki said in a speech broadcast on Iraqi state television."We have made up our minds to enter this battle and we will continue until the end. No retreat," Mr Maliki said in a speech broadcast on Iraqi state television.
Thousands in Baghdad demanded the Iraqi PM quitEnlarge ImageThousands in Baghdad demanded the Iraqi PM quitEnlarge Image
The prime minister has personally overseen the operation in Basra, which involves some 30,000 troops and police.The prime minister has personally overseen the operation in Basra, which involves some 30,000 troops and police.
But Mehdi Army fighters remain in control of some densely-populated areas.But Mehdi Army fighters remain in control of some densely-populated areas.
Speaking at a US Air Force museum in Dayton, Ohio, Mr Bush said "normalcy" was returning to Iraq.Speaking at a US Air Force museum in Dayton, Ohio, Mr Bush said "normalcy" was returning to Iraq.
"As we speak Iraqis are waging a tough battle against militia fighters and criminals in Basra, many of whom have received arms and training and funding from Iran," he said."As we speak Iraqis are waging a tough battle against militia fighters and criminals in Basra, many of whom have received arms and training and funding from Iran," he said.
Mr Maliki's move against Basra's militias underlined "his leadership and his commitment to enforce the law in an even-handed manner", the US president added.Mr Maliki's move against Basra's militias underlined "his leadership and his commitment to enforce the law in an even-handed manner", the US president added.
Rising violenceRising violence
He spoke as one of several Americans injured this week in rocket attacks on Baghdad's Green Zone died, amid fresh missiles attacks on the fortified area.He spoke as one of several Americans injured this week in rocket attacks on Baghdad's Green Zone died, amid fresh missiles attacks on the fortified area.
US Embassy staff in Baghdad have been told not to leave reinforced structures, as a result of the attacks.
The State Department has instructed embassy personnel to wear helmets and other protective gear if they leave the building, even if they stay in the heavily fortified Green Zone.
Meanwhile, one of Iraq's two main oil export pipelines from Basra was blown up in a bomb attack, sending oil prices above $107 a barrel.Meanwhile, one of Iraq's two main oil export pipelines from Basra was blown up in a bomb attack, sending oil prices above $107 a barrel.
And Basra's police chief survived a bomb attack that killed three of his bodyguards.And Basra's police chief survived a bomb attack that killed three of his bodyguards.
BASRA KEY FACTS Third largest city, population 2.6 million approxLocated on the Shatt al-Arab waterway leading to the GulfRegion around city has substantial oil resources4,000 UK troops based at international airport Battles threaten fragile IraqClashes in picturesOil soars above $107Invasion right, says BushBASRA KEY FACTS Third largest city, population 2.6 million approxLocated on the Shatt al-Arab waterway leading to the GulfRegion around city has substantial oil resources4,000 UK troops based at international airport Battles threaten fragile IraqClashes in picturesOil soars above $107Invasion right, says Bush
With many shops and markets shut, residents in the city said they were beginning to run out of food and water.With many shops and markets shut, residents in the city said they were beginning to run out of food and water.
In Baghdad, thousands of Sadr supporters marched to demand Mr Maliki quit over the Basra operation and there was sporadic fighting in Shia areas of the capital.In Baghdad, thousands of Sadr supporters marched to demand Mr Maliki quit over the Basra operation and there was sporadic fighting in Shia areas of the capital.
In other developments:In other developments:
  • The FBI said it had recovered the bodies of two US security contractors kidnapped in Iraq in 2006
  • A prominent Sunni civilian spokesman for the Baghdad security plan, Tahseen Sheikhly, was kidnapped by gunmen
  • Dozens died in clashes between the security forces and militias in the southern city of Kut
  • Clashes have also been reported in the towns of Hilla and Diwaniya, as well as the Shia holy city of Kerbala
  • The FBI said it had recovered the bodies of two US security contractors kidnapped in Iraq in 2006
  • A prominent Sunni civilian spokesman for the Baghdad security plan, Tahseen Sheikhly, was kidnapped by gunmen
  • Dozens died in clashes between the security forces and militias in the southern city of Kut
  • Clashes have also been reported in the towns of Hilla and Diwaniya, as well as the Shia holy city of Kerbala
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.
The militia had held to a ceasefire since last August, contributing to the general fall in violence across Iraq.The militia had held to a ceasefire since last August, contributing to the general fall in violence across Iraq.
The government says it aims to re-impose law and order in Basra, which the British military handed over to Iraqi forces in December.The government says it aims to re-impose law and order in Basra, which the British military handed over to Iraqi forces in December.
However, Moqtada Sadr's supporters say the government wants to weaken the militias before local elections in October.However, Moqtada Sadr's supporters say the government wants to weaken the militias before local elections in 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.