A closely held U.S. military intelligence analysis of the fighting in Basra shows that Iraqi security forces control less than a quarter of the city, according to officials in both the United States and Iraq, and Basra's police units are deeply infiltrated by members of radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's Mehdi Army.

"This is going to go on for a while," one U.S. military official said.

Iraqi forces launched their offensive in Basra this week. Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki was personally overseeing operations in the southern city against what government officials called "rogue" or "outlaw" militia elements, most loyal to al-Sadr.

During a joint news conference Friday with Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Bush called the operation "a defining moment in the history of a free Iraq," saying the government is fighting criminals there. Watch more of Bush's comments »

"It was just a matter of time before the government was going to have to deal with it," he said.

The president also hailed the operation as a sign of progress, emphasizing that the decision to mount the offensive was al-Maliki's.

"It was his military planning; it was his causing the troops to go from point A to point B," Bush said. "And it's exactly what a lot of folks here in America were wondering whether or not Iraq would even be able to do it in the first place. And it's happening."

But since the beginning of the government offensive four days ago, violence also has picked up in a wide area of southern Iraq, including in Baghdad's International Zone -- also known as the Green Zone -- which has been targeted by rocket and mortar attacks.

Coalition bombers have joined in the fight, hitting targets in Basra and Baghdad.

The Basra analysis also shows that militia forces control a wide swath of cities in Iraq's southeast, including areas near the airport, where British forces are located, the officials said.

More than 100 Iraqis have been killed in the fighting, including at least 14 in Baghdad's Sadr City neighborhood. Watch more on Sadr City »

The fighting has sparked fears that a seven-month cease-fire by al-Sadr's Mehdi Army, regarded as a key factor in a dramatic drop in attacks in recent months, could collapse or that the U.S. military will have to bail out the Iraqis.

On Thursday, the Interior Ministry imposed a curfew through the weekend in Baghdad, Hilla, Kut, Diwaniya, Simawa and Basra. Watch more on the curfew »

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This is a report from The Australian, the date line is March 29,2008

the headline is ?Coalition jets pound militias?

The article lead describes coalition air support and then follows with a summary of the struggle. It describes the widening of the fighting throughout Iraq and mentions sabotage of two oil pipelines providing 80% of Iraqi government revenue. It describes the Mehdi Army moving into neighborhoods in Baghdad and Shia policemen shucking their uniforms and moving for protection into Sunni neighborhoods where they can be protected by Sunni neighborhood patrols.

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This is a report from BBC News, dateline  Saturday, 29 March 2008, 18:28 GMT

The headline is, ?British Army joins Basra fighting?

The article lead repeats the headline and describes a British Army artillery fire support mission at the request of Iraqi Army. It goes on to report British aircraft patrolling Basra skies.

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AlJezeeraEnglish has a video describing the fighting. The dateline is 26 March 08

They describe the struggle as one between two Shia factions. The Mehdi Army controlled by Moqtada al-Sadr, and Iraqi Army, which they describe as being controlled by the Badr Brigades .

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This is a report from AP, the dateline is March 29, 2008 12:58 EDT

The headline is, ?US widens bombing in Basra? 

The Article lead states that British officials said American aircraft dropped 2 PGM?s on a suspected militia stronghold. Iraqi police said it was occupied by civilians 

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This is a phone conversation from Michael Yon

Dateline is 2008 03 29 about 03:00 Iraqi time

It?s likely to get worse before it gets better

Murky genesis to the conflict, but it?s about power and wealth not religion

Nobody seems to doubt that the Iranians are behind the violence

American forces are fighting with Mehdi Army elements

This is not a fight to the finish, but for a better bargaining position

Iraqi forces can fight, but they need logistical and air support

Basra police are the worst Michael Yon has ever seen

There are reports that Mugtada al'Sadr has ordered a ceasefire

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Report from Africa Asia, dateline is 30/03/2008 13:13 Baghdad

Headline is: Iraq says Sadr's order will help restore peace

The report says that Moqtada al-Sadr's ordered his fighters to withdraw from the streets on Sunday. Government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said this will help restore peace. This was broadcast on state television Al-Iraqiya.

This report is corroborated by similar dispatches from Reuters and the Melbourne Herald Sun  

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Report is from Reuters, dateline is: Sun Mar 30, 2008 9:39am EDT

Headline is: Aide to Iraq's Sadr: "No handover of arms"

The report quotes Hazem al-Araji, a Sadr aide, as stating that the Mehdi Army would not surrender arms and that the Iraqi government would stop ?random arrests? of Mehdi Army members.