http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/mar/26/iraq

Iraqi PM orders Basra militants to surrender

This article was first published on guardian.co.uk on Wednesday March
26 2008. It was last updated at 12:02 on March 26 2008.
Iraqi policmen at a checkpoint in Basra, Iraq

Iraqi policmen at a checkpoint in Basra, Iraq. Haider Al-Assadee/EPA

The Iraqi prime minister, Nouri al-Maliki, today gave Shia fighters in
Basra three days to surrender their forces.

Maliki imposed the deadline as clashes between security forces and
Shia militants erupted throughout the country.

He said gunmen who failed to hand over their arms and sign an
anti-violence pledge would be targeted by Iraqi forces.

The ultimatum came on a second day of fierce fighting between
government troops and the Madhi Army, Shia fighters loyal to the
radical cleric Moqtada al-Sadr.

Yesterday, 15,000 soldiers were sent into Basra in an attempt to take
control of the southern Iraqi city, which has fallen into Madhi Army
hands since British troops withdrew in September.