BASRA, Iraq (Reuters) - Iraq's government removed the top military and police commanders in Basra on Wednesday, weeks after a botched crackdown on militia fighters there triggered the country's worst fighting in months.Iraqi army Lieutenant-General Mohan al-Furaiji and police Major-General Abdul-Jalil Khalaf were among the country's most senior commanders and were widely respected by U.S. and British military leaders.
Interior Ministry spokesman Major-General Abdul-Karim Khalaf, no relation to the Basra commander, said the two were recalled to senior staff positions in Baghdad as a "reward for their successful mission against the criminals in Basra".
U.S. military spokesman Major-General Kevin Bergner said he had seen reports that the men had been replaced but declined to comment further, saying: "The change in leadership is one that I would defer to the government of Iraq to further characterize."
The two commanders were dispatched to Basra last year and won enthusiastic praise from U.S. and British brass for battling militia and fighting infiltration of their forces. Both survived numerous assassination attempts.
But their fate was widely seen as sealed after the crackdown in March failed to dislodge militia fighters loyal to cleric Moqtada al-Sadr from the streets and triggered fighting that spread to other southern cities and Baghdad.
Last week Iraq fired 1,300 soldiers and police for failing to stand and fight during the crackdown. U.S. commander General David Petraeus told Congress the campaign's planning was "not satisfactory" and he had envisioned a more gradual operation.
The increase in violence and the crackdown's uncertain outcome have brought the war back to centre stage in the U.S. presidential election at a time when Washington is preparing to withdraw 20,000 troops over the next four months.
Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki personally oversaw the crackdown, and U.S. commanders say they were given just days notice. British press reports have said Mohan was one of those who had urged a slower approach like that sought by Petraeus.
RAIDS CONTINUE
Despite the failings of the initial operation, U.S. commanders have described the overall crackdown in Basra as a success, not least because Iraqi forces took the lead and rapidly dispatched 6,600 extra troops to the area.
"In Basra the Iraqi army forces in particular are finding improved support from the local citizens in terms of tips, in terms of their cooperation," Bergner said.
Iraqi forces have continued raids on suspected militiamen in Basra since the main fighting there ended, and scored a victory in the town on Monday, freeing a kidnapped British journalist when they stormed the house where he was being held.
U.S. or British forces also launched an air strike killing four militants who fired at Iraqi troops in Basra early on Wednesday, a British military spokesman said.
Major Tom Holloway said the aircraft fired a missile at a group of five gunmen carrying rocket-propelled grenades, killing four and wounding one. A second missile was fired at their vehicle, destroying it, he said.
He declined to identify the type of aircraft or say whether it was British or American. Both countries fly helicopters and fixed-wing planes in the area and have teams of spotters that can direct strikes from the ground.
Iraqi police said six people were killed and three wounded in the strike. Reuters television pictures from the scene showed a crater in the street and walls pock-marked with shrapnel.
"The message is clear. Those attacking the Iraqi Army and interfering with operations to bring security to the people of Basra will be targeted," Holloway said.
U.S. and British forces have launched air strikes in Basra several times over the past few weeks, usually in support of government troops or police.