Special report: Tension escalates in Iraq     

    BAGHDAD, April 16 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi government removed the army and police commanders in the southern city of Basra days after a crackdown on Shiite militia in the city, a spokesman said.

    "I can confirm that Maj. Gen. Mohan al-Fraiji has been removed from his post as the commander of Iraqi Army in the city of Basra," Brigadier Qassim Atta al-Mossawi, spokesman of security plan in Baghdad, told a news conference.

    "Fraiji's mission and the commander of the police forces Maj. Gen. Abdul Jalil Khalaf's have come to an end because they were assigned to their posts temporarily," Mossawi said.

    The two top officers are to be replaced in the coming two days by Maj. Gen. Muhamad Jawad Huwaydi and Maj. Gen. Adel Dahham respectively, added the spokesman.

    Recently, Basra was the scene of fierce clashes between Shiite militias and U.S.-backed Iraqi security forces after the latter launched a massive offensive dubbed "Operation Cavalry Assault" aimed at restoring order in the volatile city.