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16:48 GMT, Friday, 28 March 2008

In pictures: Iraqi violence

A Mehdi Army fighter in Basra, 28 March 2008

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A wave of violence has continued for a fourth day in Iraq, as government and coalition forces crack down on Shia militias in Basra and other cities.

Iraqis carry the coffins of relatives at a mass funeral in Sadr City, Baghdad, 28 March 2008

Iraqis carry the coffins of relatives at a mass funeral in Sadr City, Baghdad, 28 March 2008

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More than 130 people have been killed and 350 injured in the clashes, which have also affected the Iraqi capital, Baghdad.

Iraqi police guard Shia militiamen at a military base in Hilla, 28 March 2008

Iraqi police guard Shia militiamen at a military base in Hilla, 28 March 2008

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The government has extended a deadline for fighters to hand over weapons until 8 April. Here arrested militiamen are guarded in the central city of Hilla.

Children use buckets to remove water after water pipes were hit in shelling in Baghdad, 28 March 2008

Children use buckets to remove water after water pipes were hit in shelling in Baghdad, 28 March 2008

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In the capital, residents worked to cope with damage from shelling. A three-day curfew has been imposed, while Iraq's parliament has been holding emergency talks.

Smoke rises from the Green Zone in Baghdad, 28 March 2008

Smoke rises from the Green Zone in Baghdad, 28 March 2008

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But only 54 out of 275 MPs attended the session in the fortified Green Zone, which was hit by fresh mortar and rocket attacks on Friday.

A Shia fighter runs for cover as a man performs prayers in Basra, 28 March 2008

A Shia fighter runs for cover as a man performs prayers in Basra, 28 March 2008

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Iraqi Prime Minister has overseen efforts in Basra to battle fighters from the Mehdi Army, loyal to Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr. Here a fighter passes a man praying on a Basra street.

A government car destroyed in fighting with the Mehdi Army in Basra, 28 March 2008

A government car destroyed in fighting with the Mehdi Army in Basra, 28 March 2008

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The militia remains in control of some areas of the city, though there were reports that the situation was calmer on Friday.

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