Special report: Tension escalates in Iraq 　　

    BASRA, Iraq, July 18 (Xinhua) -- The Multi-National Force (MNF) in Iraq announced that British and Iraqi troops started joint operations against extremists near the city of Basra on Friday.

    "British and Iraqi security forces have launched on Friday joint security operations in the al-Lateef area, some 15 km north of Basra," Captain Chris Ford, the MNF spokesman told Xinhua.

    Ford clarified that the operations which will last for a week aimed at chasing and preventing extremists in the area from carrying out attacks against civilians and Iraqi security forces.

    "The task of the MNF troops will back Iraqi security forces to restore security in the area," Ford added.

    In December 2007, the British troops transferred responsibility for security of Basra to Iraqi forces nearly four months after the British troops pulled out from the former Saddam Hussein's presidential palace and moved to the Sheiyba airport that bases outside the city.

    Recently, Basra, 550 km south of Baghdad, 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 city where instability was spreading.