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Baghdad Curfew Lifted; Basra Violence Slows

Move comes a day after Sadr ordered militants to stand down

By Lucas Laursen,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 31, 2008 8:31 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Baghdad authorities lifted a 3-day-old curfew today as violence ebbed and soldiers from Muqtada al-Sadr's Mahdi Army began to heed his call yesterday to stand down, reports the AFP. The southern city of Basra also eased its curfew as 6 days of violent clashes wound down, although the BBC reported sporadic gunfire and parts of the city that were still under Mahdi Army control.

Mahdi militants "are following Sadr's orders," one soldier said. "But we are ready, should the Americans come inside our district, to fight." The US military today reported an additional 41 deaths of "criminals," which brought the 6-day fatality total to more than 320. 

Men clean up the al-Qaim mosque after it was damaged in an airstrike, in Basra, Iraq, Monday, March 31, 2008. One person was killed in the airstrike, police said.
Men clean up the al-Qaim mosque after it was damaged in an airstrike, in Basra, Iraq, Monday, March 31, 2008. One person was killed in the airstrike, police said.   (AP Photo)
A man grieves for his brother during a funeral in the Shiite enclave of Sadr City in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, March 31, 2008.
A man grieves for his brother during a funeral in the Shiite enclave of Sadr City in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, March 31, 2008.   (AP Photo/Karim Kadim)
Iraqis march during a funeral during a sandstorm in the Shiite enclave of Sadr City in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, March 31, 2008. The funeral was for five persons, including two children, who were killed in recent clashes between the Mahdi Army and government forces backed by the American military.
Iraqis march during a funeral during a sandstorm in the Shiite enclave of Sadr City in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, March 31, 2008. The funeral was for five persons, including two children, who were killed...   (AP Photo/Karim Kadim)
Four year old Ghazi Askar lies in hospital in the Shiite enclave of Sadr City in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, March 31, 2008. The boy was wounded in clashes Sunday between the Mahdi Army and government forces backed by the American military.
Four year old Ghazi Askar lies in hospital in the Shiite enclave of Sadr City in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, March 31, 2008. The boy was wounded in clashes Sunday between the Mahdi Army and government forces...   (AP Photo/Karim Kadim)
Four year old Ghazi Askar lies in hospital in the Shiite enclave of Sadr City in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, March 31, 2008. The boy was wounded in clashes Sunday between the Mahdi Army and government forces backed by the American military.
Four year old Ghazi Askar lies in hospital in the Shiite enclave of Sadr City in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, March 31, 2008. The boy was wounded in clashes Sunday between the Mahdi Army and government forces...   (AP Photo/Karim Kadim)
A man holds up a damaged Quran in the al-Qaim mosque, after it was hit by an airstrike, in Basra, Iraq, Monday, March 31, 2008. One person was killed in the airstrike, police said.
A man holds up a damaged Quran in the al-Qaim mosque, after it was hit by an airstrike, in Basra, Iraq, Monday, March 31, 2008. One person was killed in the airstrike, police said.   (AP Photo)
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Baghdad • Green Zone • Basra • curfew • ceasefire • Muqtada al-Sadr • mortar attack

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