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UK forces clash with Iraq militia UK forces clash with Iraq militia
(30 minutes later)
Up to 36 people have been killed in clashes between British forces and Shia militia in southern Iraq, Iraqi police and medical officials have said. Up to 20 people have been killed in clashes between joint Iraqi and British forces and Shia militia in southern Iraq, military leaders say.
Fierce fighting took place in the town of Amara, Maysan province, during the British-supported Iraqi operation, which also targeted Majar al-Kabir.Fierce fighting took place in the town of Amara, Maysan province, during the British-supported Iraqi operation, which also targeted Majar al-Kabir.
A doctor at Amara's hospital said 36 bodies had been received. He did not know whether any were civilians. A statement from the coalition forces' headquarters in Baghdad said six people had also been injured in the clashes.
UK spokesman Major David Gell said there had been no British casualties.UK spokesman Major David Gell said there had been no British casualties.
"We have not yet got the full details, but certainly it was an Iraqi special operations forces operation which had been authorised by the government of Iraq," he said."We have not yet got the full details, but certainly it was an Iraqi special operations forces operation which had been authorised by the government of Iraq," he said.
"Multinational forces were supporting," he added."Multinational forces were supporting," he added.
A Ministry of Defence spokeswoman in London said details about the operaton remained "sketchy".
"The only thing I can confirm is that there have been no UK casualties and it was an Iraqi security forces lead with us in support," she added.
'Terror network''Terror network'
Iraqi officials claim more than 100 people were also injured in the fighting, which lasted for two hours before dawn on Monday. A Ministry of Defence spokeswoman in London said details about the operation remained "sketchy".
"The only thing I can confirm is that there have been no UK casualties and it was an Iraqi security forces lead with us in support," she added.
Iraqi officials have claimed up to 36 people were killed and more than 100 injured in the fighting, which lasted for two hours before dawn on Monday.
Police said the clashes took place in the neighbourhoods of al-Mulameen, Um Ghurba and al-Qatta'a, in eastern Amara, as well as in the Mijar area, about 20 miles west of the city.Police said the clashes took place in the neighbourhoods of al-Mulameen, Um Ghurba and al-Qatta'a, in eastern Amara, as well as in the Mijar area, about 20 miles west of the city.
A statement from the multi-national forces headquarters in Baghdad said the raids targeted a "secret cell terrorist network" which they claim helped bring in weapons and recruits from Iran. A coalition forces statement said the raids targeted a "secret cell terrorist network" which they claim helped bring in weapons and recruits from Iran.
Ground forces used air support to tackle enemy fire, it said.Ground forces used air support to tackle enemy fire, it said.