Basra fight goes door-to-door

BASRA, Iraq, April 14 (UPI) -- U.S. military reports out of Basra say operations there entered a new phase of operations with Iraqi security forces conducting door-to-door raids.

Reports say Operation Saulat al-Fursan, or Charge of the Knights, moved to a clearing phase, with operations aimed at clearing insurgent strongholds.

Meanwhile, Voices of Iraq reported a splinter group of the Mahdi Army, the March 17 movement, vowed Monday to continue its fight in Basra against "the occupier." Various media reports noted Iraqi security forces rescued British journalist Richard Butler from his captives in Basra Monday as well.

U.S. reports say clearing operations focused on the southwestern districts of Basra province went by "without major incident." Voices of Iraq, however, noted Monday unknown gunmen assassinated a senior Iraqi intelligence officer in central Basra.

It was unclear if the assassination was linked to Butler's rescue.

The U.S. report says its forces joined British forces to advise Iraqi security units during the majority of the operations.

Reports out of Basra say the area is relatively calm since the launch of Operation Saulat al-Fursan in late March. U.S. reports from Basra said local residents were "proud" of the actions of Iraqi security forces there.

The major port city of Umm Qasr in Basra province resumed operations a few days after military operations began there, and Iraqi naval forces have taken over security operations from the U.S. Army.