Protests in Baghdad as Basra rocked by fighting

0 Comments | AFP, March, 2008

BAGHDAD (AFP) — Followers of radical cleric Moqtada al-Sadr staged noisy protests on Thursday against a crackdown on Shiite fighters in Basra, as the southern oil hub was rocked by a third straight day of fighting.

Demonstrations were held in Sadr City and Kadhimiyah, two Baghdad bastions of Sadr's Mahdi Army militia, even as preliminary contacts were held between the government and Sadrist officials in a bid to resolve the crisis.

An AFP correspondent in Basra said heavy fighting erupted early Thursday in the central Jumhuriyah neighbourhood, a Mahdi Army bastion, which was rocked by rocket propelled grenade, mortar and small arms fire.

Iraqi troops launched security operations on Tuesday in Basra neighbourhoods controlled by the Mahdi Army under orders...