New clashes between militia, security forces in southern Iraq

BAGHDAD (AP) - Iraqi police say clashes between Shiite militants and government security forces have resumed in at least two cities south of Baghdad.

The fighting in Nasiriyah and Mahmoudiya Friday comes as the fighting calms down in Baghdad. Residents are holed up in their homes because of a weekend curfew.

Police say four people have been killed and 14 wounded in clashes in Nasiriyah.

Anger has been growing since the Iraqi government launched a crackdown against Shiite militia violence in the southern oil port of Basra earlier this week.

Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's followers say security forces are abusing a cease-fire by his Mahdi Army militia to unfairly target them in raids.

The government says it is acting against criminal gangs.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)