State of Emergency Declared in Basra, Iraq

U.S. soldiers attend the scene after a parked car packed with explosives hit a police patrol in the northern city of Mosul in Iraq, killing at least five policemen and wounding 14 Wednesday, May 31, 2006. (AP Photo/Mohammed Ibrahim) (Mohammed Ibrahim - AP)

BASRA, Iraq -- Iraq's prime minister declared a state of emergency Wednesday in once peaceful and oil-rich Basra, as the sectarian and militia violence engulfing the country's capital spread to its southern economic heartland.

In his first major policy speech since his government was sworn in May 20, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki vowed to restore security in Iraq as attacks around the country claimed 25 lives and wounded dozens.

"We shall use an iron fist against the leaders of the gangs or those who threaten security," he said, apparently referring to the militias as well as rival tribal groups. "And we shall ask all security departments to draw up an effective and quick plan to achieve security."

Al-Maliki promised to crack down on sectarian gangs in Basra and declared a monthlong state of emergency, which broadens arrest powers for Iraqi security services and establishes an evening curfew.

It was the only state of emergency in effect across Iraq, according to officials. Other cities where violence is rampant, such as Baghdad and Ramadi, only have curfews.

"The state of emergency imposed in Basra for one month is made up of a group of exceptional measures imposed for a specific time by the prime minister for dealing with some events," Interior Ministry Undersecretary Maj.-Gen. Ahmed Al-Khafaji said from Basra.

He added that "Basra is the only province in Iraq that has a state of emergency."

Tensions have been worsening in the Shiite-dominated area, where Britain has about 8,000 soldiers, and mostly Shiite militias have been attacking Sunni Arabs and battling each other.

Al-Maliki was addressing about 700 tribal sheiks, religious leaders, officials, army officers and other residents in Basra, Iraq's second-largest city, 340 miles southeast of Baghdad.

Shouting broke out in the auditorium before al-Maliki spoke, with several tribal leaders accusing local officials and security forces of being behind the violence. But the prime minister calmed them down from the podium, saying "we cannot negotiate with everybody shouting."

The Shiite prime minister traveled to Basra with his Sunni Arab vice president, Tariq al-Hashimi.

Both leaders said security must be restored before prosperity can return to the port city.