Iraqi authorities have imposed a 3 day curfew in Baghdad as part of an operation to crackdown on Shia militants. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has pledged ‘no retreat’ in the fight.
More than 130 people have died and hundreds have been injured in clashes between security forces and members of the Mahdi Army militia in the last 3 days. Iraq’s second-largest city of Basra has turned into a battlefield as governmental forces were trying to fend off militants. The gunmen were also firing rockets at U.S.-controlled Green Zone in Baghdad. Iran has suspended pilgrim tours to Shia holy sites in Iraq because of the violence.