BAGHDAD, Iraq, March 25, SPA -- Iraqi security forces were battling militia members in the southern city of Basra Tuesday -- and Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki is personally overseeing the operation, officials said. Ali Hadi, an official in the al-Maliki's office, said the prime minister met with high-ranking Iraqi security officers ahead of the operation, which was launched around 3 a.m. Tuesday. A Basra city council official said that the fighting erupted when security forces entered strongholds of the Mehdi Army militia, according to a report of CNN. An Interior Ministry official said four militia members have died during the fighting. Six people were wounded and taken to a local hospital.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/539687