Iraqi Forces Battle Basra Militias

Iraqi security forces were engaged in intense firefights with the Mehdi army in several parts of Basra. The Mehdi army is also involved in fighting in Baghdad. Does this signal the end of the ceasefire?

BASRA, Iraq (Reuters) - Iraqi security forces fought fierce gunbattles with powerful Shi'ite militias in Basra on Tuesday in a major operation aimed at bringing the southern oil city under government control.

Police and health workers said at least 12 people were killed in the fighting in districts of central and northern Basra where the Mehdi Army militia of Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr has a strong presence.

The Mehdi Army, which has thousands of fighters, has kept a relatively low profile since Sadr called a ceasefire last August. But the militia has chafed at the truce and on Tuesday there were signs that the unrest was spreading.

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Sadr threatened a countrywide "civil revolt" if attacks on the Mehdi Army continued, and police sources said his supporters had seized control of five districts of the southern Iraqi town of Kut.

In Baghdad, Sadr followers ordered police and soldiers off the streets of his Sadr City stronghold and smoke could be seen over the Green Zone after an apparent mortar or rocket attack.

In Basra, a Reuters witness reported seeing columns of black smoke and hearing explosions and machinegun fire. Television pictures showed Iraqi troops running through empty streets and helicopters flying overhead.

"There are clashes in the streets. Bullets are coming from everywhere and we can hear the sound of rocket explosions. This has been going on since dawn," resident Jamil told Reuters by telephone as he cowered in his home.