(VOI) - An official from anti-U.S cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's office said his group loyalists resumed holding Friday prayer ceremonies in central Basra after three months ban imposed following a major crackdown in the southern city. "A deal has been struck between the Iraqi government and al-Sadr office in Basra to hold Friday prayer ceremonies without harassment or intervention of security forces", an offical from al-Sadr group in Basra, who requested anonymity, told Aswat al-Iraq-Voices of Iraq(VOI).The official noted "faithful in large numbers flowed into the prayers place", adding "Iraqi troops provided security faithful". The Mahdi Army, the armed wing of Sadr's movement, clashed with Iraqi security forces in Basra after PM Nouri al-Maliki announced a crackdown dubbed as Saulat al-Fursan(Knights' Assault) late March which extended to major southern provinces and held on along in April and May in the Shiite bastion of Sadr City in Baghdad, until a truce was signed on May 10.
Iraqi forces backed by British troops banned holding Friday prayers for al-Sadr loyalists in an open place- which was a sport centre before 2003- in al-Tuweisa district, central Basra. The Iraqi government said the measures were not aimed at al-Sadr movement, but it came in an implementation to a decree to vacate state properties sqautted by political parties and religious movements.