Shia militias clash with British troops in Iraq

British troops clashed with a Shiite militia in the southern Iraqi city of Basra today, leaving at least one person dead and five wounded.

The clashes broke out between the troops and the Mahdi Army militia of radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr shortly after midnight when British troops surrounded an area being used to fire mortar rounds.

At least one militiaman was killed and five wounded in the clash that lasted about four hours, medical officials said.

A British military spokesman confirmed troops came under fire from machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades while carrying out a search operation that uncovered tonnes of weapons in Basra.

The troops did not suffer any casualties or lose any vehicles, the spokesman said.

“During the search we found more than two tonnes of weapons and explosives, and we arrested three people,” said Captain Tane Dunlot. “It was a 100% successful operation.”

Hours after the clashes ended, Mahdi Army militiamen were blocking several streets in central Basra.

Last weekend, one British soldier was killed and another wounded during a raid, the British military said.

British troops arrested Sajid Badir, leader of the Shiite-based Mahdi Army, which wields considerable power and has infiltrated the police.