Heavy Fighting In Basra Between Security Forces, Gunmen

Heavy fighting has been raging since yesterday, March 24 between Iraqi security forces and gunmen, throughout the city of Basra.

The city has been under complete curfew.

The fighting broke out after the Iraqi government declared the launch of "Operation Attack of the Knights," aimed at restoring security and order in the city.

In an announcement to Basra residents, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki said: "The city is under internal and external pressure... that is harming its security and stability by means of harming its spiritual, academic, and social leaders... This illegal activity is being carried out in religious, political, or other guise, and is accompanied by oil, arms, and drug smuggling... The lawbreakers ... are being aided by the province's security apparatuses. Basra has become a city where the lives and property of the residents are not safe."

Source: Aswat Al-Iraq, Iraq, March 25, 2008

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