Iraqi security forces clashed with gunmen of a Shiite cult in southern Iraqi cities of Basra and Nassiriya on Friday, leaving at least 15 people dead, security sources said.
Ten people, including two police officers, were killed and more than 50 others wounded in clashes between members of the so-called "Soldiers of Heaven" and Iraqi security forces in Nassiriya, the sources said.
Meanwhile, Basra whose security was completely transferred from the British soldiers to the Iraqi forces last month, also witnessed similar clashes on Friday afternoon.
At least four security troops were killed in the battle in Basra, local police sources said, adding that dozens of the Shiitegunmen were killed and arrested.
The leader of the group in Basra Abu Mustafa al-Ansari was also killed, the sources said.
The clashes disrupted annual Ashura festival, the holiest day on the Shiite Muslim religious calendar.
Source: Xinhua
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