Region | Iraq

16 killed in Basra airstrikes

The death toll rises amid continuing clashes between militia and the military in Iraq, with 16 killed in air strikes.

  • Agencies
  • Published: 08:51 March 30, 2008
  • Gulf News

  • Mehdi army fighters hold their weapons as they guard their position in Baghdad's Sadr City.
  • Image Credit: Reuters
Image 1 of 2
12

Baghdad: At least 16 gunmen have been killed in US air strikes during clashes with Shiite militiamen in Basra, according to US military officials.

The air strikes were supporting Iraqi troops who have been trying to restore order after protracted deadly clashes in the southern Iraqi town.

Baghdad was locked down for the third straight day on Sunday after a weekened curfew was extended for an indefinite period to contain brutal clashes between Shiite gunmen and security forces.

On Saturday, Iraqi police said eight civilians, including two women and a child, had been killed after a US warplane destroyed a house.

At least 133 bodies and 647 wounded have been brought to five hospitals in eastern Baghdad over the past five days, eastern Baghdad's health chief Ali Bustan said on Saturday.

More than 200 people have been reported killed and hundreds wounded in the five days of fighting across southern Iraq and Baghdad since a crackdown on militants in Basra.

  • Rate this article
  • Average reader rating (0 votes) 0 Stars
Tools

Emailing an article to friend is a simple way to share a news item. Your friend will receive an email with your name and email address as well any personal message you choose to send.

The information you provide on this page will not be used to send unsolicited emails.

This service is not intended to encourage spam, and action may be taken against individuals who maliciously enter personal details of another individual.

Share this article

Related Articles

  1. Iraq offensive can lead to 'chaos'

    Iraq offensive holds potential for chaos, critics say

  2. Death toll escalates in Baghdad fighting

    Death toll escalates in Baghdad fighting

    Death toll escalates in continued Baghdad, Basra fighting

  3. Shiite fighters seize Iraqi city

    Shiite fighters seize Iraqi city

    Iraq assembly readies for emergency session

  4. Scores killed in four-day Basra fighting

    Scores killed in four-day Basra fighting

  5. Baghdad curfew extended indefinitely

    Baghdad curfew extended indefinitely

More from Iraq

  1. Mysterious 'Saddam Channel' hits Iraq TV

  2. Secret letter exposes how Blair lied

  3. Election dispute poses risk to security

  4. Kuwait denies entry restriction reports

All articles in Iraq

More from Region

Gulf News
Popular in News
News Editor's choice