New clashes between Iraqi troops and the local militia have been reported in the city of Basra.

The Iraqi troops and the US and UK military conducted a joint operation to seal off the central Hayania district and carry out a search for illegal weapons.

The Hayania district – an area controlled by the Mehdi Army loyal to Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr - has witnessed some major clashes between the two sides about three weeks ago.

Although it was labeled as a minor operation by the Iraqi commander, the coalition troops met fierce resistance.

The seal off, arms search-operation was confirmed by Lieutenant-General Mohan Furaiji, the field commander of the Iraqi troops, Reuters reported.

"Our troops moved in there, and now they have reached the centre of Hayaniya. Now there are no confrontations, and anyone carrying weapons will be arrested," he said.

"We are chasing fugitives and arresting them. We expect within the next few hours that the operation will be concluded successfully."

There has been some opposition, but most people were cooperative, Furaiji added.

The Iraqi Army made a similar attempt to disarm militants off illegal weapons some three weeks ago, but the operation turned very violent and heavy clashes took place in Basra.

The Iraqi troops, with air support provided by the U.S. military and artillery support from the British troops, managed to seize a stronghold of the fighters loyal to Moqtada al-Sadr.

The operation was conducted after Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki launched a crackdown on Sadr's followers late last month in the southern city.

Lt Gen Al-Furaiji confirmed the capture of the militant stronghold in the centre of the Hayaniya neighborhood.