Fierce Islamic jihad worsens in southern Iraq

Clashes from Islamic jihad forces intensify around Basra, Iraq

Abed Battat with Azzaman reported Tuesday, Jan. 22, on clashes raging in cites such as Basra, Nasiriya and Diwaniya for a third day, and on conflicting government statements as to causes.

Islamic jihad groups are fighting government forces backed by U.S. military troops - the jihadist militia alliances are “something of a mystery,” Battat reported.

While the Interior Ministry says they are remnants of the so-called Jund al-Sama (Soldiers of Heaven) other sources close to the government say they are former Baathists and supporters of the former leader Saddam Hussein.

Local media decline to describe them as opponents of the government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki as armed opposition on such large-scale from the Shiite heartland would give a clear signal of how shaky his administration is.

Residents from the three cities tell Azzaman that there has been a lot of random shooting in streets and residential areas.

Several police stations have come under attack and reports from Basra alone speak of 97 people killed and 117 injured.

‘Jund al-Sama’ fighters were blamed last year for plans to thwart the annual pilgrimage to the Shiite shrines in Najaf and Karbala.

Government troops aided by U.S. helicopter gun ships attacked the group. In the ensuing battle hundreds of people were killed among them women and children.

Just as reports seemed to point to successes, another front opens…

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