Iraqi officials say at least 12 people were killed in fierce fighting in Basra province on Tuesday, as government security forces and Shi'ite militias battle for control of the oil-rich southern port.
At least 18 others were wounded during the first day of an Iraqi military operation targeting militants in the south.
Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr is urging his followers to stage protests against recent raids and detentions targeting his Mahdi army.
One of Sadr's aides, Hazem al-Aaraji read a statement today saying the radical cleric would order a "civil revolt" if attacks against his followers were not halted immediately.
The clashes are jeopardizing a seven-month-old cease-fire that Sadr declared last year.
In an interview with VOA's Kurdish service, a member of Iraq's parliament from the Sadr bloc, Baha al-A'raji, called on supporters of the Sadr movement to use caution and avoid further inflaming tensions.
At least 18 others were wounded during the first day of an Iraqi military operation targeting militants in the south.
Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr is urging his followers to stage protests against recent raids and detentions targeting his Mahdi army.
One of Sadr's aides, Hazem al-Aaraji read a statement today saying the radical cleric would order a "civil revolt" if attacks against his followers were not halted immediately.
The clashes are jeopardizing a seven-month-old cease-fire that Sadr declared last year.
In an interview with VOA's Kurdish service, a member of Iraq's parliament from the Sadr bloc, Baha al-A'raji, called on supporters of the Sadr movement to use caution and avoid further inflaming tensions.