Security forces clashes with gunmen in Basra - eyewitnessesClashes were reported in the southern Iraqi city of Basra after scores of projectiles hit on Thursday a security forces' camp at al-Zobair suburb, west of Basra city, according to eyewitnesses.
"More than 20 Katyusha rockets on Thursday hit an Iraqi security forces' camp in al-Zobair," an eyewitness from al-Askari neighborhood of al-Zubair suburb, 30 km west of Basra, told Aswat al-Iraq – Voices of Iraq – (VOI). "As a result, Iraqi army and police forces moved toward the missiles' launching location, and immediately clashes erupted with gunmen," he said.
"I heard explosions as security forces were approaching the area," he added.
Another eyewitness from al-Rasheediya area of al-Zobair suburb said "fierce clashes broke out between the national police and gunmen for more than two hours."
"Helicopters and jet fighters flew over the clashes field, but without bombarding any target," he added. "I saw an Iraqi Humvee vehicle damaged, while two houses were set on fire due to the random fire exchange," he noted.
Security forces' sources could not be immediately reached for a comment.