Basra militia violence spreads

Basra: Iraqi security forces battled the Mahdi Army militia in Basra on Tuesday in a drive to win control of the southern oil city, but violence and unrest spread to Baghdad and other cities.

Police and health workers said at least 12 people were killed in the fighting in districts of central and northern Basra where Shiite cleric Moqtada Al Sadr's Mahdi Army has a strong presence.

In a statement read out by a senior aide on Tuesday, Al Sadr called on Iraqis to stage sit-ins all over Iraq and said he would declare a "civil revolt" if attacks by US and Iraqi security forces continued. He also threatened a "third step", but said it was too early to announce what it would be.

Columns of black smoke rose above Basra and explosions and machinegun fire could be heard. Reuters Television pictures showed masked gunmen firing mortars in the street, while others drove around in captured Iraqi army and police vehicles.

Struggle ahead

"This operation will not come to an end in Basra without the law prevailing and being respected," Iraqi government spokesman Ali Al Dabbagh said. But analysts said the government of Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki, who was in Basra to oversee the operation, would struggle to overcome militias who were looking to keep hold of their share of Basra's oil wealth.