Shiite militia clashes with Iraqi police in Amara city

An Iraqi police commando walks amid the rubble of a destroyed police station in the southern city of Amara. Shiite militiamen have fought deadly street battles with Iraqi police in the southern city of Amara on Friday that left police stations in flames and 18 people dead, witnesses and medics said. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery >>>

    BAGHDAD, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- Shiite militia loyal to radicalcleric Muqtada al-Sadr clashed with Iraqi police forces in the southern city of Amara on Friday, witness and medical source said.

    Clashes between the two sides which started on Thursday, have left at least 15 people dead and more than 90 others wounded, a medical source in the city hospital said.

    "Since Thursday night, dozens of Mehdi militiamen with rocket propelled grenades and AK-47 assault rifles attacked several police stations in Amara city," Abu Dawood, a local resident, told Xinhua by telephone.

    Hundreds of black-clad militiamen held their guns were patrolling on the streets and some of them were on police vehicles, which they seized from the police stations, Dawood said. Full story>>

An Iraqi police commando walks amid the rubble of a destroyed police station in the southern city of Amara.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery >>>