Iraq Spring Fighting of 2008

Infobox Military Conflict
conflict=Iraq Spring Fighting of 2008
partof=the Post-invasion Iraq


caption=Major flashpoints of the fighting
date=March 23 – May 11, 2008
place= Iraq
result=Ceasefire [ [http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/05/10/iraq.main/index.html Cease-fire reached in Baghdad's Sadr City - CNN.com ] ]
*Mahdi Army propaganda victory in Basra, however clearing operations continued
*Maliki government politically weakened and agrees to immunity for Mahdi Army gunmen and a release of detained Mahdi Army members
*Iraqi forces gain control of Sadr City
*Iraqi forces launch further operations in Maysan governorate
combatant1=flagicon|Iraq Iraqi Army
flag|United States
flagicon|Iraq Awakening Councils
flagicon|Iraq Islamic Dawa Party
combatant2=Mahdi Army
commander1=flagicon|Iraq Nouri al-Maliki
flagicon|United States David Petraeus
commander2=Muqtada al-Sadr
strength1=400,000
strength2=60,000
casualties1=191 killed;
2,100 deserted, defected or captured [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7336386.stm BBC NEWS | Middle East | 'Turncoat' Basra police pursued ] ] [ [http://www.subchat.com/otchat/read.asp?Id=305901 Re: Iraqi security forces surrender to Mahdi Army ] ]
(Iraqi security forces)
35 killed (U.S. forces) [ [http://www.icasualties.org/oif/prdDetails.aspx?hndRef=3-2008 Period Details ] ] [ [http://www.icasualties.org/oif/prdDetails.aspx?hndRef=4-2008 Period Details ] ] [ [http://www.icasualties.org/oif/prdDetails.aspx?hndRef=5-2008 Period Details ] ]
1 killed (Iraqi militia) [ [http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2008-04-10-iraqnews_N.htm Sunnis form militias to counter those of Shiites - USATODAY.com ] ]
4 killed (Islamic Dawa Party)
casualties2=2,000+ killed Thousands wounded or captured (Iraqi Security Forces claim) [ [http://www.iraqupdates.com/p_articles.php/article/32980 Mahdi Army 'going underground'] - Iraq Updates]
casualties3=1,112 Iraqi civilians killed, 2 U.S. and 2 Indian civilians killedThe Iraq Spring Fighting of 2008 (March 23, 2008 – May 11, 2008) was a series of clashes between the Mahdi Army and the Iraqi Army supported by coalition forces, in southern Iraq and Baghdad, that began with an Iraqi offensive in Basra. The fighting followed a lull in the civil war in Iraq and was the most serious crisis since October 2007.

Background

In 2007, the Iraqi Army moved 4 brigades, including a tank brigade, and a special forces battalion to Basra, replacing the existing brigade stationed there which was reported to have been corrupt. [ [http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2007/12/basrah_the_untold_st.php Basrah: Missing the Iraqi Security Force Deployment - Long War Journal] ] The Iraqi National Police also moved two battalions to Basra. In August 2007, the Iraqi Army established the Basra Operational Command under the command of General Mohan. The Vice Chief of Staff of the Iraqi Joint Staff said "We do not have enough forces there. That is why we are having a new division, the 14th Division, to be built in Basrah, especially with the possibility that the British might be leaving us in time." [ [http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2007/09/iraqi_security_force_2.php Iraqi Security Forces Order of Battle: September 2007 Update - Long War Journal] ]

Since August 2007, a unilateral ceasefire was in place, imposed by Muqtada al-Sadr on his militia, the Mahdi Army. However raids were continuing on so-called "rogue" elements of the militia and tensions were building. In February, Sadr extended the ceasefire even though many of his commanders were against it. Despite the extension raids continued and members of the militia accused the members of the security forces of being infiltrated by their rival militia, the Badr Brigade.

The Campaign

On March 23, Iranian trained militants of the Mahdi Army fired mortars on the heavily fortified Green Zone in Baghdad killing one U.S. diplomat and wounding several other people. At least 12 Iraqi civilians were also killed by mortars that missed the Green Zone and hit the civilian sectors around the Zone. [ [http://antiwar.com/updates/?articleid=12569 Sunday: 4 US Soldiers, 91 Iraqis Killed; 152 Wounded - Antiwar.com] ]

Basra operation

On March 25, the Iraqi Army and police attacked the second largest Iraqi city, Basra, which had for the most part been under Mahdi Army control for the past seven months since the British troop withdrawal from the city in the beginning of September the previous year. Since then the city was in the middle of a turf war between three different militias, including the Mahdi Army, for the control of the oil exports which had been dominated by the Black Market.

Street fighting spread through six neighbourhoods after the government operation started at 2:00am. Plumes of smoke were seen over the northern neighbourhoods, and by the end of the first day of fighting government forces took the center of the city but the Mahdi Army was still holding on to the northern part of the city.

On March 26, the Iraqi Prime Minister issued an ultimatum to the Mahdi Army to surrender within 72 hours.

On March 28, U.S. aircraft bombed two targets in the city while being supported by British planes, a day after militiamen paraded in the city with some 20 captured soldiers and a captured Iraqi Army Humvee. At least two Iraqi Army armoured vehicles and a BMP infantry fighting vehicle were seen destroyed on the streets.By March 29, the Iraqi military offensive against the city was faltering in the face of stiff resistance as the 72-hour ultimatum by the government passed and the militants refused to surrender.

On March 31, the fighting in the city ended after al-Sadr's declaration of a new cease-fire. By that point the Mahdi Army was still in control of about 75% of the city.

Up to 236 people were killed and 1,200 wounded in the fighting in districts of central and northern Basra. 921 members of the security forces, including 421 policemen and a full Iraqi Army battalion of 500 men, deserted, defected or were captured.

Clashes between militiamen and al-Maliki's tribe in Qurna, north of Basra, left 7 dead, including a policeman and a civilian, and 2 wounded on both sides. [ [http://www.mcclatchydc.com/212/story/31877.html Round-up of Daily Violence in Iraq, Friday 28 March 2008 McClatchy Washington Bureau] ] [ [http://www.aswataliraq.info/look/english/article.tpl?IdLanguage=1&IdPublication=4&NrArticle=74543&NrIssue=2&NrSection=1 5 killed, 2 wounded in clashes in Basra - Aswat Aliraq] ] [ [http://www.aswataliraq.info/look/english/article.tpl?IdLanguage=1&IdPublication=4&NrArticle=73950&NrIssue=2&NrSection=1 Civilian killed, policeman wounded in clashes in Basra - Aswat Aliraq] ]

Mortars also killed two policemen and wounded 23 people, including 13 policemen, in Karma, a town 50 miles north of Basra. [ [http://wiredispatch.com/news/?id=105058 FACTBOX-Security developments in Iraq, March 28 - Reuters] ]

Following the cease-fire in Basra there were still sporadic clashes in the city for some time leaving at least 32 civilians, 34 militants, five policemen and one U.S. Marine dead. Among the dead was also police Major Ali Haider, a commander in the police department's serious crimes directorate. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7327926.stm BBC NEWS | Middle East | Air strike levels house in Basra ] ] [ [http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=18253&Itemid=128 Multi-National Force - Iraq - ISF recover weapons cache, kill 10 in separate operations in Basra ] ] [ [http://www.kuna.net.kw/NewsAgenciesPublicSite/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=1897387&Language=en كونا : Eight persons killed in fiery blast in Basra - الدفاع والأمن - 07/04/2008 ] ] [ [http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=18354&Itemid=21 Multi-National Force - Iraq - UAV destroys mortar position, kills 6 (Hyanniyah) ] ]

Post-operation Basra fighting

April 1: Gunmen are reportedly off the streets and Iraqis cautiously emerge back on the streets of Basra with opening markets and men cleaning up trash from the roadsides. Maliki claims military "security, stability and success" and vows to continue operations with a seven point plan, including recruiting 10,000 new Iraqi security forces members and moving to enhance public services in Basra. [http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/04/01/iraq/main3985302.shtml Iraqi PM: Basra Strikes A "Success", CBS News April 1, 2008] ] 2500 citizens of Basra have already volunteered to work with the Iraqi army since the start of the operation, according to a US military spokesman in Baghdad. [ [http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=18058&Itemid=131 Operational Update: Maj. Gen. Bergner, April 2] - MNF-I]

Maj. Gen. Abdul Aziz Mohammad, director of military operations at Iraq's Defense Ministry, said the Iraqi military planned to seal and search every neighborhood to capture suspected criminals and confiscate weapons. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/01/AR2008040100833.html U.S. Appears to Take Lead in Fighting in Baghdad, Washington Post, April 1, 2008] ] Sadr vows to continue fight against occupation forces "in a peaceful manner" and plans mass demonstrations against the Coalition on April 9.

The Hillah Special Weapons and Tactics team detained 20 vehicle smugglers in Basra as part of "continuing deliberate operations against criminals to restore a rule of law", according to a US military spokesman. [ [http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=18036&Itemid=128 Hillah Special Weapons and Tactics unit detain 20 suspected smugglers in Basra] - MNF-I]

The British defense minister announces a pause in troop reductions. [http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/04/01/uk.iraq/index.html "UK halts troop cuts after Iraq clashes", CNN, April 1, 2008] ]

April 2: Lt. Gen. Mohan al-Furayji leads a 12 vehicle Iraqi Army convoy though the Hayaniya district, a Sadr stronghold in central Basra, in an apparent show of force. A roadside bomb explodes near the convoy, but there were no casualties. A reporter for an Iraqi TV station was shot in the leg while filming the convoy. Afterwards gunmen attacked the convoy and one Iraqi Army Humvee was torched. [ROBERT H. REID - [http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/iraq;_ylt=ArGIX8e6ZMrutLo3VyIS52BX6GMA Iraq army flexes muscles in Basra] - AP via Yahoo News] Overall, Basra was reportedly relatively calm for a third straight day. [http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSL2884231520080402?sp=true Bomb explodes near top Iraq generals in Basra, Reuters, April 2, 2008] ]

U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen said in a Pentagon press briefing that the Basra operation is still ongoing and that it is premature to comment on the results of the operation. [http://www.defenselink.mil/transcripts/transcript.aspx?transcriptid=4186 DoD Press Briefing - CJCS Adm Mullen, Transcript, April 3, 2008] ]

A US Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) attacked a technical in the Halaf area of Basra, killing 6 "armed criminals" after heavy machine gun fire was reported. [ [http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=18112&Itemid=128 Coalition forces conduct airstrike in al-Halaf, six criminals killed (al-Halaf) ] - MNF-I]

April 3: A U.S. airstrike destroyed a house in Basra killing two militant snipers and at least six civilians. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7327926.stm Air strike levels house in Basra] - BBC News] Iraqi Security Forces, advised by U.S. Special Forces, killed seven criminal members and detained 16 others during three separate operations in Basra directed by the Iraqi government. [http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=18111&Itemid=128 ISF kill 7 criminal members, detain 16 in 3 separate operations in Basra, MNF-I press release, April 4, 2008] ]

Muqtada al-Sadr offers the Iraqi government to help purge militia members from Iraqi security forces. [http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/04/04/iraq.main/index.html Iraqi leader freezes assault on militias, CNN, April 4, 2008] ] Sadr also angrily criticizes the Iraqi government for "denying it sent envoys to him" [http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/04/03/iraq.alsadr/index.html Al-Sadr offers to help Iraqi security forces] ]

April 4: Iraqi PM Nuri al-Maliki orders his security forces to stop raids on suspected Shiite militiamen to "give time to those who are repentant" to lay down their weapons. The PM's order did not mention the Mahdi Army by name. Al-Maliki also ordered a resumption of reconstruction projects and services in the areas of fighting. 3000 Iraqi soldiers and policemen, including soldiers from the Iraqi Army 1st Division moved into Hayyaniyah to distribute food and water to Iraqis who had been without supplies for several days. [ [http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=18255&Itemid=128 Iraqi Army distributes food and water al-Hayyaniyah] - MNF-I]

Coalition forces attacked Madhi Army members west of Basra and ordered an air strike during the ensuing clashes. Two children were killed along with another person. [ [http://antiwar.com/updates/?articleid=12633 - Antiwar.com] ]

In a Coalition raid during the night 10 militants were killed and two weapons caches, including 60 mm mortar rounds, rocket propelled grenades and explosively formed penetrators, were found. [ [http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=18253&Itemid=128 ISF recover weapons cache, kill 10 in separate operations in Basra] - MNF I]

April 5: A U.S. airstrike in the Hayaniyah district hit a militant mortar position killing one gunman. [http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=18152&Itemid=21 Coalition forces conduct airstrike in Basra, one criminal killed, MNF-I Press release, April 5, 2008] ]

April 6: The Iraqi Political Council for National Security, with representatives from all major political parties holds a meeting and agrees unanimously to a resolution with a number of points and actions necessary to "end the existence of this gang" (the Mahdi Army). Among those points is a decision that the Sadr trend will not have the right to participate in the political process or take part in the provincial elections unless they disband the Mahdi army. [http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/04/07/al.maliki.transcript/index.html Transcript: Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on Iraq, CNN, April 7, 2008] ] Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki continues to deny that any concessions were made or that Iran was involved in negotiating Muqtada al-Sadr's cease-fire order on March 30, 2008. [] ]

An explosion of unknown source occurred in Basra destroying a house and killing eight people. MNF-I confirms that an explosion occurred but denies involvement. [ [http://www.kuna.net.kw/NewsAgenciesPublicSite/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=1897387&Language=en Eight persons killed in fiery blast in Basra ] - Kuna News]

April 7: Moqtada al-Sadr offers to disband the Mahdi army if the highest Shi'ite religious authorities, including Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani and senior Shi'ite clergy based in Iran, demand it. "If they order the Mahdi army to disband, Muqtada al-Sadr and the Sadr movement will obey the orders of the religious leaders", senior Sadr aide Hassan Zargani told Reuters from Iran. [http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=18292&Itemid=128 ISOF snare terrorist and criminal suspects (Basrah)] - MNF-I]

April 11 The German Press reports that Riyad al-Nuri was the victim of a targeted assassination as he left mosque in Najaf on Friday. He was gunned down by non-uniformed militants in the style of the targeted assassinations that marked the Quds campaign in Basra. No group has taken credit for the killing. Riyad al-Nuri was Moqtada al-Sadr's brother-in-law and a close aide. Moqtada al-Sadr lives in the Holy City of Qom, Iran and has become dependent on his aides in Iraq. [http://news.monstersandcritics.com/middleeast/news/article_1399504.php/Al-Sadrs_brother-in-law_killed_in_Iraqs_Najaf__Roundup] _

April 12: Soldiers from the 1st Brigade of the 1st IA (QRF) Division from Al-Anbar, as well as elements from the 14th Division, cleared the suburb of al-Qibla in Basra "without incident", the US military reported. It also reported an al-Qaida in Iraq leader was captured by Iraqi forces in Abu al-Khasib, a small town 20 km southeast of Basra. [ [http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=18441&Itemid=128 Operation Charge of Knights continues progress in Basrah] - MNF-I]

April 13: A policeman is killed in a drive-by shooting and two dumped bodies are found. [ [http://antiwar.com/updates/?articleid=12686 Sunday: 46 Iraqis Killed, 29 Wounded - Antiwar.com ] ]

April 14: Richard Butler, a UK journalist held captive in Basra for two months after being kidnapped in central Basra was freed in an Iraqi Army sweep. [ [http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/iraq_dc;_ylt=AtNLUsusFOzddv0ClLcKbcxX6GMA Kidnapped UK journalist freed in Iraq's Basra] - Reuters via Yahoo News] Police Major Ali Haider, a commander in the police department's serious crimes directorate, is shot and killed. [ [http://antiwar.com/updates/?articleid=12691 Monday: 2 US Soldiers, 87 Iraqis Killed; 142 Iraqis Wounded - Antiwar.com ] ]

April 15: Maj-Gen Abdul Jalil Khalaf and Lt-Gen Mohan al-Furayji are reassigned to posts in Baghdad. The Iraqi government says that the two chiefs are returning to their posts in the Defence Ministry at the end of a 6-month assignment to the southern city. Brig. Gen. Qassim al-Moussawi, an Iraqi military spokesman, said: "The two have done a great job and their efforts were highly appreciated by the commander in chief". However, a spokesman for the Sadrist bloc in Basra, Ali al-Suaidi, says the Iraqi government "wants to blame its failure on somebody" and the moves are "punishment for the botched execution of the campaign". According to Brig. Gen al-Moussawi, Gen. Furayji will be replaced by Maj. Gen. Mohammad Jawad, the commander of the 14th Division, in the Basra Operational Command and Maj. Gen. Adel Dahham will become the new police chief in Basra. [cite news|publisher=BBC News|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7350434.stm|title=Basra security leaders removed|date=2008-04-16] [Amit R. Paley - [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/16/AR2008041600932.html Iraq Reassigns Chiefs Of Basra's Army, Police] - Washington Post]

April 16: An unmanned U.S. drone plane launched missiles that killed four militiamen and wounded one more, but police said six people were killed and three more were wounded.

April 17: Gunmen tried to kill former police chief Brigadier-General Mohamed Kadhim al-Ali. One of his bodyguards was killed and two more were wounded. In a separate incident, gunmen shot and wounded a police commando. Also, two policemen were killed in a drive-by shooting.April 19: Iraqi security forces launched a clearing operation in the Hayaniya district, a Sadr stronghold in central Basra. After a show of force in which coalition forces bombed an empty area west of Hayaniya, Iraqi forces, with advisers from the British Army and the United States Marine Corps. [http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/IraqiSoldiersContinueToTargetBasraMilitias.htm Iraqi soldiers continue to target Basra militias] - UK Ministry of Defence] , moved into the Hayaniya city center. According to General Mohan al-Furayji, Iraqi forces faced only "isolated skirmishes". [Aref Mohammed - [http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080419/wl_nm/iraq_dc Show of force as Iraqi forces advance in Basra] - Reuters via Yahoo News] . A large number of weapons were captured during the operation, including 140 rockets, 50 mortars, 70 IEDs and a number of anti-aircraft missiles. Seven Iraqi Army vehicles were recaptured as well.

April 20: In a statement, Muqtada al-Sadr warned that he would declare "open war" if the campaign against him did not stop. [http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/I/IRAQ?SITE=NHPOR&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT Al-Sadr's followers refuse to disband militia in Iraq, Associaded Press, April 20 2008] ] Coincidentally, Al-Qaeda in Iraq released a similar message the same day, calling for a 30-day period of violence. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/19/AR2008041901723.html New Al-Qaida in Iraq tape calls for monthlong offensive, Washington Post, April 20 2008] ]

Iran's ambassador to Baghdad declared support for the Iraqi government crackdown against "lawbreakers" in Basra. Since major Sunni, Shiite and Kurdish parties have already supported the Maliki government in its crackdown for some time, Sadr appears increasingly politically isolated. [http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/I/IRAQ?SITE=NHPOR&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT Al-Sadr's followers refuse to disband militia in Iraq, Associated Press, April 20 2008] ]

April 21: Two roadside-bombs hit two Coalition patrols in the city. One was an American, the second a British. There were no casualties suffered in the attack on the British patrol but in the first attack one U.S. Marine was killed and a second wounded.

Also, an al-Sistani aide who was wounded a week before in an attack in the city died of his wounds.

April 24: Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki claimed historic victory over armed militias. "The ideology of having rival militias is over. The weapon is now in state hands", a statement said that Maliki told British Foreign Secretary David Miliband during talks. "We have political support from all [political] entities for the measures taken by the government", Maliki continued. [http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iHul4DZp-axz3iOT91x_oRVSoL5Q AFP: Iraqi PM says private army mentality in Iraq is over, AFP, April 24 2008] ]

Multi-National Corps-Iraq commander Lt. Gen Lloyd J. Austin said in a press briefing that Iraqi security forces are in control of Basra.

April 25: Muqtada al-Sadr reaffirmed his cease-fire order. In a statement to followers read on his behalf during Friday prayers, Muqtada al-Sadr urged his followers to "observe more patience in commitment to the freeze decision." Sadr also tried to clarify his call for "open war" on April 20, stressing that the threat "is meant against the occupiers only." [http://www.aswataliraq.info/look/english/article.tpl?IdLanguage=1&IdPublication=4&NrArticle=77383&NrIssue=2&NrSection=1 "Open war against occupiers only," Sadr tells followers, Voices of Iraq, April 25 2008] ]

In Basra, secular life is re-emerging. Young women are daring to wear jeans, soldiers listen to pop music on their mobile phones and bands are performing at wedding parties again. [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/iraq/article3671861.ece The men in black vanish and Basra comes back to life] , The Times, April 25, 2008]

In the town of Qurna, near Basra, journalist Jassim al-Batat was gunned down by gunmen in a speeding car as he left his house. [ [http://wiredispatch.com/news/?id=142737 Iraqi journalist killed near Basra, radio station says ] ]

April 28: A Sadrist lawmaker was killed and his wife was injured during an armed attack.

May 8: A British soldier is wounded and two unidentified foreign contractors are killed when rockets hit the main British military base in Basra at the airport. Coalitio aircraft responded to the attack killing six militants who fired on the base.

May 10: Two civilians were killed and five others were wounded when a roadside bomb blasted a police patrol in Basra. Also, 14 suspects were arrested during raids.

Fighting in Sadr City and Baghdad

The clashes, soon after the start of the security operation, spread from Basra to Baghdad, mainly the Sadr City district of the capital, which was under the control of the Mahdi Army.March 25: Militants attacked police and army checkpoints in the western and northern parts of Baghdad and the Green Zone was constantly coming under mortar and rocket attacks leaving dozens of people wounded and many Iraqi civilians killed by rockets that missed their targets. On the first day of fighting in Baghdad one U.S. soldier was among the dead, killed by a mortar in the Adhamiya district of Baghdad. The mortar was fired from the vicinity of Sadr City. In Baghdad's al-Amin neighborhood, Mahdi Army gunmen stormed two offices of the Dawa party and clashed with guards there. Five Mahdi Army gunmen and two Dawa guards were killed. Fighters also captured six policemen with their two police vehicles from their checkpoint in New Baghdad. [ [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/25/AR2008032500461_pf.html Intense Fighting Erupts In Iraq | Washington Post] ]

March 26: Mortar strikes killed five people in the Karrada neighborhood and four in Risala on March 26. Another two people were killed in mortar attacks elsewhere. More rockets and mortars hit the Green Zone wounding four people. Among the wounded were two American civilians and one American and one Iraqi soldier.

In Sadr City militants were planting roadside bombs on a main thoroughfare and declared the ceasefire over. Mahdi Army fighters sealed off their neighborhoods, blocking roads with refrigerators, burning tires and garbage. Heavy clashes erupted between militiamen and U.S. and Iraqi forces. A roadside bomb set a U.S. Humvee on fire in Sadr City but all soldiers inside survived. Also in fighting in northern and eastern parts of Baghdad two US soldiers and three Iraqi civilians were killed. [ [http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0326/p01s13-woiq.html Across Iraq, battles erupt with Mahdi Army - Christian Science Monitor] ] [ [http://wiredispatch.com/news/?id=101578 FACTBOX-Security developments in Iraq, March 26 Reuters] ] March 27: On March 27, a mortar bomb at a Baghdad bus station killed three people and wounded 15 and 2 mortar rounds hit the Ministry of Interior, al-Tasfeerat compound in central Baghdad killing one employee and injuring four. The Green Zone was still being bombarded with one Iraqi civilian killed and another 14 wounded by misfired mortars. Several mortar rounds hit a building in the U.S. embassy complex in the Zone leaving one U.S. government employee dead and another three wounded. Also, a U.S. soldier died in the fighting during the day.

Street battles in Sadr City and other parts of the capital in the previous 24 hours left 88 people dead, including 68 militants, three U.S. and one Iraqi soldier, one Iraqi policeman and at least 15 civilians who were killed when an artillery barrage hit a market in Sadr City. At least 12 U.S. soldiers were wounded and three policemen captured. [http://www.mcclatchydc.com/212/story/31750.html Round-up of Daily Violence in Iraq, Thursday 27 March 2008 McClatchy Washington Bureau] ] [ [http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17878&Itemid=21 24 terrorists killed in Baghdad - MNF-Iraq] ] [ [http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17880&Itemid=21 Terrorists launch eleven indirect fire attacks, other unrest (Baghdad) - MNF-Iraq] ] [ [http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17888&Itemid=21 ISF, CF take fight to terrorists - MNF-Iraq] ] [ [http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17887&Itemid=21 Iraqi Security Forces, Coalition forces target terrorists, kill 26 - MNF-Iraq] ] [ [http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17885&Itemid=21 ISF, CF defend checkpoint, kill 8 militants (Baghdad) - MNF-Iraq] ]

Tahseen Sheikhly, a Sunni civilian spokesman for operation Imposing Law, was kidnapped by gunmen who stormed his house in a Mahdi Army stronghold in southeastern Baghdad and torched it. Three of his bodyguards were killed.

The Times reported areas of Baghdad were slowly falling into the hands of the Mahdi Army. The Mahdi Army took over neighbourhood after neighbourhood, some amid heavy fighting, others without firing a shot. In New Baghdad, militiamen simply ordered the police to leave their checkpoints, the officers complied en masse and the guerrillas took over their checkpoints. [ [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/iraq/article3631718.ece Areas of Baghdad fall to militias as Iraqi Army falters in Basra | Times Online] ] The US Army denied this. Lieutenant Colonel Steve Stover, the Public Affairs Officer for the 4th Infantry Division and Multinational Division Baghdad said "All checkpoints and ISF [Iraqi security forces] buildings are in ISF and/or Coalition control. No checkpoint is in enemy control." [Bill Roggio [http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2008/03/fighting_in_baghdad.php Fighting in Baghdad, South against Mahdi Army completes fourth day] - Long War Journal]

In other fighting during the day a father and son were killed in the Talbiyah neighbourhood where at least eight Iraqi soldiers were wounded in street battles. [ [http://www.mcclatchydc.com/212/story/31750.html Round-up of Daily Violence in Iraq, Thursday 27 March 2008 | McClatchy Washington Bureau] ]

March 28: Early on March 28, a U.S. helicopter fired a Hellfire missile during fighting in Sadr City in support of ground troops who were clearing a main supply route. Four militants and nine civilians were killed. Meanwhile an insurgent mortar hit Iraqi Vice-President Tareq Hashemi's offices in the Green Zone, killing two guards, and a U.S. air strike killed three people and wounded six in Kadhimiya. In other fighting throughout the capital 13 militants and two civilians were killed and four U.S. Stryker armored vehicles entered Sadr City and engaged militiamen. A U.S. soldier was killed by a roadside bomb just south of Baghdad. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7317935.stm Iraq extends Shia arms deadline - BBC News] ] [http://wiredispatch.com/news/?id=104998 FACTBOX-Security developments in Iraq, March 28 - Reuters] ] [ [http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17897&Itemid=21 MND-B Soldiers kill 13 terrorists - MNF-I] ]

Ten of the militants were killed by US forces when a joint security station in eastern Baghdad was attacked with small arms fire. In a separate incident, a US air strike destroyed a rocket site in eastern Baghdad. [ [http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17906&Itemid=128 MND-B Soldiers destroy rocket site, kill 12 terrorists] - MNF-I] One U.S. soldier was killed the fighting.

Late in the evening reports came in that a unit of 500 policemen decided to stop working with the government and join the Mahdi Army. [ [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/28/AR2008032803810_pf.html 19 Tense Hours in Sadr City Alongside the Mahdi Army ] ]

March 29: In another day of mortar bombardment mortars landed in Shiite areas of eastern Baghdad, killing at least one person and injuring 12. The New York Times reported that in a well-publicized event in Sadr City, 40 men who said they were Iraqi police officers surrendered their weapons to Sadr officials saying "We can't fight our brothers in the Mahdi Army, so we came here to submit our weapons." In return, the Sadr officials gave the officers olive branches and Korans. The weapons were returned after the officers pledged not to use them against Mahdi Army members. "These weapons are for defending the country but not for fighting your brothers," said Sheik Salman al-Fraji, head of the Sadr office there. [ [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/30/world/middleeast/30iraq.html?_r=1&oref=slogin&ref=todayspaper&pagewanted=print Shiite Militias Cling to Swaths of Basra and Stage Raids By JAMES GLANZ and MICHAEL KAMBER] ] [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcWG-hJbSNo&eurl=http://www.juancole.com/ Video coverage of event] Another 15 soldiers also surrendered elsewhere in the city.

By this point the Iraqi Health Ministry reported at least 75 civilians killed and 500 injured in fighting in Sadr City and other eastern eastern Baghdad neighborhoods. The U.S. military sharply disputes the claims, having said that most of those killed were militia members. Two U.S. soldiers were killed by a roadside bomb in eastern Baghdad and one Iraqi policeman was killed in the Amil district by another bomb. A militia member was killed when his RPG misfired.

U.S. forces stated that they killed a total of 48 militants in Baghdad in the previous 24 hours, while three US Soldiers were killed in the fighting that day. [http://icasualties.org/oif/prdDetails.aspx?hndRef=3-2008]

March 30: U.S. forces killed at least 62 fighters in fighting across Baghdad. Another mortar strike, aimed at the Green Zone, killed at least seven Iraqis and wounded 21 when two rounds apparently fell short, striking houses in the commercial district of Karradah. Gunmen also attacked an Iraqi checkpoint in eastern Baghdad, killing six troops. An American soldier was killed by a roadside bomb just north of the city. [ [http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17936&Itemid=128 Multi-National Force - Iraq - Air weapons team engages, kills 12 criminals ] ] [ [http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17957&Itemid=128 Multi-National Force - Iraq - ISF, CF kill 8 criminals, detain 2 others in pursuit to secure streets of Baghdad ] ] [ [http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17950&Itemid=128 Multi-National Force - Iraq - MND-B Soldiers kill 8 criminals in separate operations ] ] [ [http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17937&Itemid=128 Multi-National Force - Iraq - MND-B Soldiers kill 2 during routine operation ] ]

March 31: Mortars fell again on the Green Zone, however there were only sporadic sounds of gunfire in the city, a day after al-Sadr declared a new ceasefire. One U.S. soldier was killed on the outskirts of Sadr City by a roadside bomb. Just before the fighting stopped eight civilians were killed in Sadr City due to American shelling. [ [http://antiwar.com/updates/?articleid=12609 Monday: 2 US Soldiers, 50 Iraqis Killed; 45 Iraqis Wounded - Antiwar.com ] ]

April 1-5: During this time a cease-fire was in effect in Baghdad which eased the violence in the capital. However this will not last.

April 6-May 11: A U.S. military raid in Sadr City provokes heavy street fighting in the district and most of eastern Baghdad which leads to the collapse of the cease-fire in the district. Two Iraqi Army armored vehicles and two trucks are destroyed and one U.S. Stryker armored personnel carrier is damaged on the first day of the street battles. U.S. Apache helicopter gunships swooped overhead during the battle. Militants shelled the Green Zone and other U.S. military bases around the capital. Unmanned Predator aircraft fired Hellfire missiles into Sadr City every day targeting the mortar and rocket teams. At least 941 people were killed. Among the dead were 22 U.S. and 17 Iraqi soldiers as well as 331 militants and 591 civilians. 100 U.S. soldiers and more than 1,700 civilians were wounded. 549 of the civilians were killed in Sadr City [ [http://antiwar.com/updates/?articleid=12733 Wednesday: 2 US Soldiers, 1 US Contractor, 59 Iraqis Killed; 114 Iraqis Wounded - Antiwar.com ] ] while another 42 were killed in different parts of Baghdad by mortars, fired from Sadr City, which missed the Green Zone. The fighting mostly stopped early on April 11, as U.S. and Iraqi forces managed to advance down the main road through Sadr City and set up a forward defence line inside the district. However, that night fighting continued as U.S. and Iraqi units were attacked with small-arms, machine guns and RPG's. Snipers and roadside bombs were also used against Coalition forces. [ [http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/04/11/iraq.main/index.html Iraqi, U.S. troops accused of Sadr City attack - CNN.com ] ] [http://www.antiwar.com/ Antiwar.com ] ]

On April 17, a heavy dust storm engulfed Baghdad and the militiamen used this to their advantage. Gunmen attacked the coalition frontlines under the cover of the storm and heavy fighting ensued. At one point an Iraqi company deserted their position at a police station and the militiamen moved in but U.S. forces moved in soon to fill in the gap in the line. Fighting continued throughout the night and new attacks were staged the next day as the storm continued and U.S. forces were not able to send in helicopters, planes or drones to assist. This day another company of Iraqi soldiers deserted their post after almost being overrun by militants. The fighting finally died down in the evening as the sand storm lifted. In the fighting on April 17 and 18th, 17 Iraqi soldiers and 22 militiamen were killed along with a number of civilians.

On April 28, another dust storm swept through Baghdad and the Mahdi Army once again attacked the blockades around Sadr City. In the ensuing fighting four U.S. soldiers, 45 militants and eight civilians were killed. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7370659.stm BBC NEWS | Middle East | US troops killed in Iraq clashes ] ]

On April 29, U.S. forces in Stryker vehicles tried to push deeper into Sadr City but were met with stiff resistance from fighters using machine-guns and RPG's. After heavy fighting the troops withdrew to their start positions. 28 militants were killed, 6 U.S. soldiers were wounded, several U.S. military vehicles were damaged and three buildings used by militants were destroyed by American bombing during the battle.

On May 10, Iranian backed "special groups" fired a surface-to-air missile at a US helicopter gunship over Sadr City, the missile was reportedly fired from an unknown location in eastern Baghdad but missed the target, it was reported to be a type 7 SAM. [http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=442786&sid=WOR Zee News - Clashes in Iraq's Sadr City ] ]

On May 11, a cease-fire agreement was reached, but despite this some sporadic fighting still continued in Sadr city.

During the latest round of fighting six Iraqi and three U.S. soldiers, six policemen, one U.S.-allied militiaman, 93 militiamen and 30 civilians were killed in clashes between the Mahdi Army and security forces in other parts of the capital. [ [http://www.mcclatchydc.com/212/story/33381.html McClatchy Washington Bureau | 04/11/2008 | Round-up of Daily Violence in Iraq, Friday 11 April 2008 ] ]

Post-May 11:

May 12: Overnight clashes in Sadr city continued despite the cease-fire, the clashes killed 3 militiamen and 2 civilians and wounded 24 people. US military Spokesman Rear Adm Patrick Driscoll warned that a truce had not yet been brokered and that the Iraqi government and Shiite representatives were still talking, Sadrist lawmaker Nasar al-Rubaie said: said talks on final touches to the agreement were continuing. In fighting elsewhere in the capital 12 gunmen were killed. [http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=442567&sid=WOR Zee News - Sadr city ] ] May 13: Clashes between security forces and Shi'ite gunmen killed 2 Iraqi soldiers, 11 militiamen and 12 civilians and wounded 28 people in Baghdad overnight. One of those killed was a seven-year-old that was died after an Iraqi army vehicle ran over him. Fighting also erupted in Baghdad's Shula district, another Mahdi Army strongholdvague. Also, one U.S. soldier was killed in a roadside bombing in a northwestern part of Baghdad.

May 14: In overnight clashes five people were killed in Sadr City. Also, two militiamen were killed while planting a bomb during house-to-house searches in the area. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7401634.stm BBC NEWS | Middle East | Bombing at Iraq funeral kills 20 ] ]

May 15: In overnight clashes in Baghdad's Sadr City slum 7 people were killed and 19 were wounded. Two militiamen were also killed. [ [http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSL0439231320080515 Seven die in clashes in Baghdad's Sadr City | International | Reuters ] ]

187 dumped bodies were found during the fighting throughout Baghdad since March 23, all apparent victims of sectarian violence.

Al Kut fighting

In the city of Al Kut, the capital of Wasit Governorate, militants went out in the streets in force on March 25, and took control of 5 out of 18 districts of the city.

Heavy street fighting took place on March 26, and mortar impacts resounded leaving buildings and cars aflame. Another three districts fell into the hands of the militants for a total of eight. 35 people were reported killed, including a baby. 15 of those were killed when a mortar barrage struck homes amid the clashes. [ [http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/03/26/iraq.main/index.html More than 100 dead in two days of Iraq fighting | CNN] ] The security forces stated that six Iraqi soldiers and policemen died while 11 militants were killed in a combined US Special Forces-Iraqi SWAT patrol. [http://www.mcclatchydc.com/227/story/31662.html McClatchy Washington Bureau | 03/26/2008 | Clashes spread as U.S., Iraqi forces attack Shiite militia ] ] [ [http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17886&Itemid=21 Iraqi Security Forces, U.S. Special Forces engage criminal elements in Hillah, al-Kut] MNF-I]

Also at least two policemen and one civilian were killed and another eight or ten policemen were wounded in fighting in the town of Aziziya just north of Al Kut. [ [http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L2558442.htm FACTBOX-Security developments in Iraq, March 25 - Reuters Alertnet] ]

49 people were killed and 75 wounded in Al Kut by March 27.

Another four policemen and two civilians were killed in the next two days. [ [http://wiredispatch.com/news/?id=106674 FACTBOX-Security developments in Iraq, March 29 ] ]

400 policemen deserted or defected during the fighting in Al Kut. [http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080413/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq]

On April 26, a raid was conducted in the city in which one Iraqi soldier was killed.

Hilla clashes

Fighting was also happening in Hilla, the capital of Babil province, where two people were killed on March 25.

On March 26, U.S. forces conducted air strikes in support of Hillah's Iraqi SWAT unit during fighting with Shi'ite militia in the Thawra neighbourhood. Iraqi police sources estimate the casualties at between 11 and 29 people dead and 18 and 39 wounded. At least 19 of the dead were confirmed to be militiamen. [ [http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=4529879 Many killed by U.S. strike in Iraq's Hilla: sources | ABC News] ] 9 Iraqi SWAT members were killed and two wounded during the battle. [ [http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17886&Itemid=21 Iraqi Security Forces, U.S. Special Forces engage criminal elements in Hillah, al-Kut] - MNF-I]

The next day heavy street battles continued in Hilla, most of them in the city center, with at least one soldier and five policemen killed and another 26 members of the security forces being wounded. The offices of the al-Da'wa Party and the Supreme Council were destroyed by militants. [Juan Cole - [http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2008/03/28/18489102.php - Mahdi Army Stands Firm in its Basra Neighborhoods.Demonstrations in Baghdad against al-Maliki] - Indybay.org]

The toll in two days of fighting in Hilla was at least 60 dead.

On March 29, a police source in Babil province reported that since the fighting began on March 25, 85 militiamen have been captured in the province. He also said a large number of gunmen had been killed. [ [http://www.aswataliraq.info/look/english/article.tpl?IdLanguage=1&IdPublication=4&NrArticle=74643&NrIssue=2&NrSection=1 12 killed, 42 wounded in Hilla clashes – source] - Aswat Aliraq]

On April 3, U.S. soldiers, in civilian clothes, clashed with Mahdi Army fighters during an attempted raid to arrest rogue elements in the Mehdi Army. Later Iraqi police joined the fight and five people, including four policemen were killed.

On April 4, a roadside bomb killed four policemen and injured one other.

On April 5, the body of a police commando was found in the city, he was shot dead. Police killed one gunman and arrested two others when they tried to assassinate a local police chief in the town of Hamza al-Gharbi, south of Hilla.

On April 25, a man was shot dead in the city. Six people were arrested in connection to the killing.

Other clashes

In response to the fighting the political movement of powerful Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr launched a nationwide civil disobedience campaign across Iraq to protest the raids and detentions against the Mahdi Army. [ [http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/03/25/iraq.main/index.html Iraqi raids anger Shiite militia | CNN] ]

Diwaniyah: On March 26, seven Iraqi soldiers, a policeman and two militants were killed and another seven militants were captured and seven policemen wounded. On March 27, one gunman was killed and a policeman was wounded in a security operation that netted eight suspects. The next day militia fighters killed the top administrator in a village near Diwaniyah. [ [http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L26327762.htm FACTBOX-Security developments in Iraq, March 26 - Reuters Alertnet] ] [http://www.mcclatchydc.com/227/story/31662.html Clashes spread as U.S., Iraqi forces attack Shiite militia - McClatchy Washington Bureau] ]

On March 29, 200 local residents held a demonstration in support of the Iraqi operations in Basrah. [ [http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Iraq/ss/events/ts/082701iraqplane/im:/080329/photos_wl/2008_03_29t121213_450x355_us_iraq/ Demonstrators chant slogans during a protest in Diwaniya] - Reuters via Yahoo News]

On April 27, gunmen killed a police officer outside his home.

Najaf: Four mortars landed in different parts of Najaf on March 26, and sporadic fighting throughout the city left two policemen wounded. A few days later a roadside bomb killed one army officer and wounded two soldiers when it struck their vehicle in northern Najaf. [ [http://www.mcclatchydc.com/212/story/31661.html Round-up of Daily Violence in Iraq - Wednesday 26 March 2008 | McClatchy Washington Bureau] ]

On April 11, gunmen killed a senior aide to Muqtada al-Sadr, Riyadh al-Nouri. He was the director of al-Sadr's office in Najaf.

On April 21, an al-Sistani aide was killed in the city.

Amarah: In Amara, capital of Maysan Governorate, two soldiers were killed by unknown gunmen. Two civilians died in clashes on the Yugoslav Bridge in northern Amara. Gunmen attacked the Badr Organization Bureau located in Hitteen Square, in the centre of Amara, using RPGs. [ [http://www.antiwar.com/updates/?articleid=12586 Wednesday: 2 GIs, 1 British Soldier, 76 Iraqis Killed; 367 Iraqis Wounded - Antiwar.com] ]

Nasiriyah: Two Iraqi soldiers were killed near Nasiriyah as they were heading to reinforce the attack on Basra. On 28 March 2008, Sadrist forces had taken control of the center of Nasiriyah. In heavy street fighting 5 policemen, 10 militants and 20 civilians were killed. Another 52 people were wounded, including 19 policemen, 26 civilians and 7 gunmen. Another 13 militants were captured. The Mahdi Army had also taken control of the town of Shatra, 40 kilometers north of Nasiriyah. [ [http://www.reuters.com/article/homepageCrisis/idUSL2799267._CH_.2400 Shi'ite fighters seize centre of Nassiriya - Reuters] ] [ [http://www.aswataliraq.info/look/english/article.tpl?IdLanguage=1&IdPublication=4&NrArticle=74588&NrIssue=2&NrSection=1 30 killed, 52 wounded in Nassiriya until Friday night - Aswat Aliraq] ]

On March 29, the city was back under the control of Iraqi security forces, according to a provincial police spokesman. [ [http://www.aswataliraq.info/look/english/article.tpl?IdLanguage=1&IdPublication=4&NrArticle=74588&NrIssue=2&NrSection=1 30 killed, 52 wounded in Nassiriya until Friday night] - Aswat Aliraq]

On April 19, a large firefight broke out in the village of Suq al-Shiyoukh, near Nasiriyah, which left 40 militiamen, 4 policemen and one civilian dead, another 37 militiamen were captured and 19 policemen were wounded.

On May 13, one woman was killed in a mortar attack in the city. [ [http://antiwar.com/updates/?articleid=12832 Tuesday: 1 US Soldier, 36 Iraqis Killed; 73 Iraqis Wounded - Antiwar.com ] ]

Mahmoudiya: At least 12 militia fighters were killed and seven others wounded in fighting in Mahmoudiya, 20 miles south of the capital. Some 15 Iraqi soldiers were reported to be captured. Four civilians were killed in the crossfire.

Karbala: In fighting in the holy city of Kerbala on March 28, 21 militants and 2 policemen were killed. [ [http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2008-03-29T121357Z_01_L24231863_RTRUKOC_0_US-IRAQ.xml&pageNumber=2&imageid=&c
] ] [ [http://www.aswataliraq.info/look/english/article.tpl?IdLanguage=1&IdPublication=4&NrArticle=74672&NrIssue=2&NrSection=1 Aswat Aliraq ] ] On Friday night, Iraqi forces launched a major operation targeting Mahdi Army networks in Karbala. 12 militiamen were killed and 50 wounded. 30 gunmen surrendered to police on Thursday to benefit from the Iraqi prime minister's pardon. On Saturday an Egyptian in command of fighters in Karbala surrendered to police, along with 6 members of his group. [ [http://www.aswataliraq.info/look/english/article.tpl?IdLanguage=1&IdPublication=4&NrArticle=74628&NrIssue=2&NrSection=1 Egyptian leader of armed group surrenders in Karbala] - Aswat Aliraq]

Hamza: Clashes with the Mahdi Army on March 27, left three policemen dead in Hamza. Another officer was wounded along with two Iraqi soldiers. [http://www.antiwar.com/updates/?articleid=12591 Thursday: 225 Iraqis, 1 US Soldier, 3 US Contractors Killed; 538 Iraqis Wounded - Antiwar.com] ] The next day another six policemen were killed. On March 30, police forces supported by aircraft launched a large-scale attack killing four gunmen and arresting 30. [ [http://www.antiwar.com/updates/?articleid=12599 Friday: 1 US Soldier, 163 Iraqis Killed; 214 Iraqis Wounded - Antiwar.com ] ] [ [http://www.aswataliraq.info/look/english/article.tpl?IdLanguage=1&IdPublication=4&NrArticle=74725&NrIssue=2&NrSection=1 Aswat Aliraq ] ]

Suwayrah: In clashes Iraqi Army scouts and U.S. Special Forces soldiers killed 13 militants and destroyed two cargo trucks. Another three were killed the next day. [ [http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17918&Itemid=21 Multi-National Force - Iraq - Iraqi Army, U.S. Special Forces patrol attacked; 13 criminal fighters killed (Suwayrah) ] ] [ [http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/03/30/africa/ME-GEN-Iraq.php Shiite cleric Sadr pulls fighters off streets - International Herald Tribune ] ]

Nation-wide: A roadside bomb in al-Kafl, which is just south of Hilla, left three policemen dead and another four wounded. A roadside bomb killed four policemen and wounded four more in Mahaweel, south of Baghdad. [ [http://wiredispatch.com/news/?id=103111 FACTBOX-Security developments in Iraq, March 27 - Reuters] ] An Army Colonel was killed in clashes with Mehdi Army fighters in Numaniya, 72 miles south of Baghdad. [ [http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/ANW848978.htm Reuters AlertNet - FACTBOX-Security developments in Iraq, March 28 ] ] Militiamen attacked the village of Al Daoum, south-east of Karbala, killing five people, kidnapping six others and destroying four houses in retaliation against the families of Iraqi soldiers. [ [http://www.mcclatchydc.com/212/story/33729.html McClatchy Washington Bureau | 04/15/2008 | Round-up of Daily Violence in Iraq - Tuesday 15 April 2008 ] ] In another attack on a village near Karbala five people were killed and two were wounded, around 150 people were forced to flee and fourteen homes were destroyed. [ [http://antiwar.com/updates/?articleid=12714 Saturday: 2 US Soldiers, 95 Iraqis Killed; 185 Iraqis Wounded - Antiwar.com ] ] On April 21, the Iraqi Army reported to have killed 30 militants over the course of the previous 24 hours, in one of those clashes south of Baghdad six police officers were killed also. [ [http://wiredispatch.com/news/?id=136593 FACTBOX-Security developments in Iraq, April 21 ] ] In the town of Hussaniyah, north of Baghdad, on April 22, an Iraqi Army patrol, accompanied by U.S. Special Forces members, was attacked by militiamen, and in the ensuing firefight nine militiamen were killed. An Iraqi army officer was killed during an armed attack near his home in Numaniya on May 7. [ [http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=18730&Itemid=128 Multi-National Force - Iraq - Iraqi Army Forces kill nine criminals, destroy two vehicles in Hussaniyah ] ]

May 11, 2008: cease-fire

Shiite militants reached an agreement with the Iraqi government to end fighting in Baghdad's Sadr City district, a spokesman for Muqtada al-Sadr reported. [ [http://www2.irna.ir/en/news/view/menu-234/0805111112010754.htm Iraqi government, al-Mahdi Army agree to a cease-fire (Updates) - Irna ] ] [ [http://www.presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=55052&sectionid=351020201 Press TV - Iraqi gov't, Sadrists reach agreement ] ] The Iraqi government confimed that. [ [http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L10494319.htm Reuters AlertNet - Iraqi govt confirms ceasefire with Sadr movement ] ]

However, despite the cease-fire, sporadic fighting still continued until 15 May. [ [http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSL0434078820080512 Iraqi PM says crackdown shows he's not sectarian | International | Reuters ] ]

Aftermath

Following the first cease-fire at the end of March, the campaign had reached a stalemate between the two sides. However, by all accounts the Iraqi Army had a mixed performance during the clashes. Somewhere between 1,500 and 2,000 members of the Iraqi security forces out of 30,000 troops used in Basra deserted, defected or surrendered during the fighting. [ [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/04/world/middleeast/04iraq.html?_r=1&ex=1364961600&en=3412ef4c4ed63d7c&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss&pagewanted=all&oref=slogin More Than 1,000 in Iraq’s Forces Quit Basra Fight, April 4 | The New York Times] ] Basra has fallen mostly into Iraqi Government control(70%) In Sadr City the Mahdi Army has come to agreement with Iraqi security forces to keep weapons off the streets and allow patrols of Iraqi Army convoys, not to mention give them right to allow arrest of members of their forces.

Following the fighting the Maliki government allegedly agreed to political concessions for a cease-fire, including legal and military immunity for the Mahdi Army and a release of its captured members, although Maliki denies any concessions were made [ [http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/04/07/al.maliki.transcript/index.html Transcript: Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on Iraq, CNN, April 7, 2008] ] . Many analysts said the Mahdi Army had scored a major political victory, which also presented the fighting capabilities of the militia that were, despite a lack of heavier weapons, far greater than those of the Iraqi security forcesFact|date=April 2008. However, this is apparently been objected to by the Maliki Government, since it continued its operations against Mahdi Army strongholds in Sadr City and Basrah.

The Mahdi Army stated that it will only disarm if the Shiite Clergy agree with Maliki's aims.

In light of the battle with the Mahdi army, there has been consensus from Kurdish, Sunni and the Shia political parties not aligned with Sadrists to support Prime Minister Maliki's efforts to impose Government authority in the south, even showing support to revoking the right of any political party to be represented in the October provincial elections if they continue to operate militias outside of Iraqi law. [ [http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=89231774&ft=1&f=1001 Fighting Calms in Iraq amid Mahdi Army Cease-Fire : NPR ] ] [ [http://www.reuters.com/article/homepageCrisis/idUSCOL144127._CH_.2400 ANALYSIS-Iraqi crackdown backfires, strengthens Sadrists | International | Reuters ] ] [ [http://www.mcclatchydc.com/iraq/story/32187.html McClatchy Washington Bureau | 03/31/2008 | With calm restored in Basra, Iraqis ask 'Who won?' ] ] [ [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/iraq/article3701511.ece Iraq: Al-Mahdi army offers to lay down its arms - Times Online ] ]

By early May the fighting was centered mostly on Sadr City in Baghdad and Basra was reportedly under government control.Fact|date=May 2008

See also

*Iraq Spring Fighting of 2004
*Civil war in Iraq
*Battle of Basra (2008)

References

External links

* [http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/the-man-left-to-pick-up-the-p.htmls-in-basra-401617.html Article about General Mohan from the UK newspaper "Independent"]