Reports from the Iraqi city of Basra say a fresh round of fighting has erupted between government forces and local militia.

BBC sources say Iraqi Army units, supported by coalition troops, sealed off the central Hayania district.

It is a stronghold of the Mehdi Army, the militia loyal to the radical Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr.

An Iraqi commander said it was a minor operation to seize illegal weapons, but local people report fierce fighting.

(BBC)

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