Violence continues in Iraq

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Source: CCTV.com | 03-28-2008 09:10

Fierce gun-battles have erupted in many Shi'ite towns across southern Iraq as a government-backed clampdown against Mehdi Army insurgents loyal to cleric Moqtada al-Sadr entered its third day.

Reports say Iraqi forces had cordoned off seven districts but were being repelled by Mehdi Army fighters inside them. (CCTV.com)

Fighting continued Thursday in the southern city of Basra where more than 130 people have been killed and hundreds wounded since the government launched a major military operation there on Tuesday.

The operation has targeted districts where Sadr's Mehdi Army militia has a strong presence.

Reports say Iraqi forces had cordoned off seven districts but were being repelled by Mehdi Army fighters inside them.

Clashes have also spread in the past two days to the southern cities of Kut, Hilla, Diwaniya, Amara and Kerbala as well as several Shi'ite neighborhoods of Baghdad including Sadr City.

Clashes have also spread in the past two days to the southern cities of Kut, Hilla, Diwaniya, Amara and  Kerbala as well as several Shi'ite neighborhoods of  Baghdad including Sadr City. (CCTV.com)

Officials at Sadr City said 30 bodies and more than 200 wounded had been brought to hospitals.

Saboteurs also blew up one of Iraq's two main oil export pipelines on Thursday cutting about half a million barrels a day of oil exports.

The pipeline was attacked seven kilometers south of Basra. There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei