Sadr militiamen take to streets in Basra
By (Agencies)
Updated: 2004-05-08 13:54

Hundreds of Shi'ite militiamen loyal to rebel Iraqi cleric Moqtada al-Sadr took to the streets of the British-controlled southern city of Basra on Saturday, witnesses said.

They said the militiamen, armed with assault rifles and rocket-propelled grenades, took over several areas of the city and were manning checkpoints on the streets.

A British military spokesman said he was aware of "disturbances" in Basra and added that large crowds, including some with arms, were gathering in the city center near the headquarters of the South Oil Company.

The spokesman also confirmed reports of clashes between coalition forces and gunmen of Sadr's Mehdi Army militia in the city of Amara, 180 km (115 miles) north of Basra.

He said one soldier was slightly wounded in the fighting. Mehdi Army militiamen killed two U.S. soldiers and wounded at least three British soldiers in clashes there a week ago.

Sadr and his followers, who rose up against the U.S.-led occupation a month ago, are under increasing pressure in the holy city of Najaf, where U.S. forces are tightening the noose around the firebrand leader who is wanted for the killing of a rival Shi'ite cleric.

Sadr has denied any role in the murder.

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