3-29-08, 11:39 am

Baghdad, Mar 28 (Prensa Latina) Iraqi authorities declared a curfew in this capital from Thursday at 11 pm to Sunday at 5 am, due to the deterioration of security in the country.

The measure was taken by the chiefs of the security plan, which has suffered a major setback over the past few days, after the Mahdi Army intensified its actions against national and occupation forces.

The news agency Aswat al Iraq reported that three US citizens, including a soldier, and an Iraqi army man were wounded during an attack by Iraqi insurgents on the Green Zone, in downtown Baghdad.

Aswat al Iraq noted that 16 rockets were shot in four rounds from near the Green Zone, and several buildings and a vehicle were seriously damaged.

The fortified Green Zone is the most guarded zone in the country, as it holds the US and British embassies, the Parliament building and some ministries.

In southern Iraq, the Mahdi Army, which is loyal to cleric Moqtada al Sader, is fighting security forces.

According to military forces, Iraqi troops are backed by US helicopters in their operations against the insurgents in Basra, the second largest city in the country, and Hilla. Combats in Basra took a toll of 40 dead and 200 wounded.

The rebels blew up an oil pipe that carries oil from the fields to the southern city. The explosion caused a huge fire, according to witnesses.

A bomb attack killed three bodyguards of Basra's police chief, Gen. Abdul Yalil Jalaf, who escaped unharmed.

Combats have been going on for the last two days in the city of Hilla, where 60 people were killed and 32 were wounded.

Vice President Tarik al Hashimi, of the Islamic Party, of the Sunni Muslim community, called on the government of Prime Minister Nuri al Maliki to act prudently and reestablish calm in southern Iraq.

From Prensa Latina