Iraq's parliament is due to hold an emergency session to try to end fighting between Shia militias and Iraqi security forces. It comes a day after a three-day curfew was imposed in Baghdad following attacks on the city's Green Zone, where the government and embassies are based. Iraq's army is continuing its offensive in Basra.
More than 130 people have died in the southern city since a clampdown on Shia militias began there on Tuesday. On Thursday, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki vowed that he would continue the fight against the militias for as long as was necessary. "We have made up our minds to enter this battle and we will continue until the end. No retreat," Mr. Maliki said in a speech broadcast on Iraqi state television.
The prime minister has personally overseen the operation in Basra, which involves some 30,000 troops and police fighting the Shia Mehdi Army, led by radical cleric Moqtada Sadr. But Mehdi Army fighters remain in control of some densely-populated areas.
And now I might sound stupid, but why haven’t day done it for so many months?
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