Clashes have broken out in the southern Iraqi city of Basra between police and members of a Shia cult, officials say.
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Police say the gunmen are members of Soldiers of Heaven - a group led until a year ago by a man who claimed to be the Mahdi, a Shia messiah figure.
The clashes come as thousands of Shia in Iraq take part in the ceremonies of Ashura - one of the holiest events in the Shia religious calendar.
The ceremonies are due to reach a peak on Saturday with commemorations in the city of Karbala, south of Baghdad.
(BBC)
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