Third Day Of Heavy Figthing In Iraq Yields 42 Deaths

Baghdad, Iraq (AHN) - On the third day of heavy fighting in southern Iraq between Iraqi soldiers and Shia militias, 42 people were reported killed in Kut, located southeast of the Iraqi capital city. It brings to over 100 the total death toll as the Iraqi military initiated a crackdown on Shias at Basra. Hundreds have been injured over the past few days in Basra, Baghdad, Hilla, Kut, Karbala and Diwaniya.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Malaki gave the Shia militants a deadline of 72 hours to surrender their arms. Shia leader Moqtada Sadr is said to be open to negotiations to end the violence.

CNN quoted witnesses in Basra who reported smoke, gunfire and explosions across the city. The Iraqi military, together with U.S. and British troops, have been using grenades, mortar rounds and machine guns against the Shias. The Shias were similarly using machine guns and grenades, believed to be stolen from the Muqal military post.

Provincial officials had warned that Basra would fall into rebel hands if the Iraqi government fails to bring order into the city. Among the damage caused by the insurgents was the explosion of an oil pipeline in Zubeir, causing a major blaze on the pipeline used to transport crude to tanks in Basra.

An official from the Southern Oil Company said a large amount of crude had spilled into the ground and the firm would not be able to immediately fix the damage unless security is provided by the government for the repair crew.