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Dozens killed in Iraq clashes

Dozens have been killed or wounded in battles between security forces and militants in Baghdad and the southern Iraqi city of Basra.At least 14 people have died and 140 are injured following clashes in the capital's impoverished Sadr City suburb while 40 are dead and over 200 wounded in Basra.Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has now ordered militants fighting in Basra to lay down weapons or face "severe penalties" after the major military operation was launched on Tuesday to clear the city of gunmen.Heavy gun battles continue to rage in five districts after a brief lull.Mr al-Maliki said: "Those who were deceived into carrying weapons must deliver themselves and make a written pledge to promise they will not repeat such action within 72 hours. Otherwise, they will face the most severe penalties."One Basra resident said: "The situation is so tense. I did not go to work today. Nobody is going to work. There are gunmen at every intersection."Ground commander Major-General Ali Zaidan said: "The operation is still going on and will not stop until it achieves its objectives. It is on the same scale as yesterday."Meanwhile, in Sadr City, Ali Bustan, general director of the health office, said the casualties included women and children caught in the crossfire in the clashes, adding: "We have a shortage of doctors because the American troops are not letting them into Sadr City."US military spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Steven Stover said two members of the Iraqi security forces were killed in an attack on a checkpoint in the suburb late on Tuesday.© Independent Television News Limited 2008. All rights reserved.

ITN | March 26, 2008Watch more videos from ITN

Tags:. .severe. .security. .such. .members. .battles











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