By Patrick Cockburn A new civil war is threatening to explode in Iraq as American- backed Iraqi government forces fight Shia militiamen for control of Basra and parts of Baghdad.

From wire reports BAGHDAD A power struggle betw

BAGHDAD _ A Shiite Muslim militia was suspected in violent clashes across Baghdad with a rival Shiite group late Tuesday after a bloody and chaotic day in a city south of the capital where hundreds of thousands of pilgrims had traveled to observe a religious ceremony.

By Christian Berthelsen For several hours Friday, the U.S. military detained the son of one of the closest political allies of the United States in Iraq, raising the ire of Shiite Muslim officials and straining delicate relations with Iraqi leaders. The American ambassador here quickly apologized.

BAGHDAD, Iraq _ Three U.S. defense officials Sunday accused the Iranian government of providing Shiite Muslim militias in Iraq with parts for sophisticated armor-piercing improvised bombs that they said have killed 170 coalition troops.