BAGHDAD, Oct 20: Fierce battles between an anti-government militia and police in the southern city of Amara on Friday tested the Iraqi government’s ability to rein in sectarian groups and US-led plans to hand over control to Iraqis.

Several hundred guerillas attacked three police stations and set fire to them before an appeal for calm from Shia leader Moqtada al-Sadr restored order, officials said. Hundreds of Iraqi soldiers were brought in to support police in the clashes.

The Shia-led Iraqi government is struggling to exert its authority over Shia militias blamed for reprisal killings, and to build a viable police force capable of retaining its independence in areas with deep tribal or sectarian loyalties.

The latest tensions came after Washington said the results of its two-month-old campaign to curb violence in Baghdad through mass reinforcements had been disappointing. That setback and rising US casualties have piled pressure on President George Bush before next month’s mid-term elections.

Around 200 to 300 Shia militia fighters attacked police stations in Amara on Thursday and Friday, and 10 policemen and 15 guerillas were killed, a spokesman for the British military quoted the chief of police as saying. The British handed over responsibility for Amara to Iraqi forces two months ago.

National Security Minister Shirwan al-Waeli, sent to Amara to restore order, said the situation was ‘serious’ but he denied reports the city was totally under the control of the Mehdi Army, a militia loyal to Moqtada al-Sadr.

A leader in the Mehdi Army said Moqtada Sadr had sent a letter to Amara urging calm. It was read out in mosques.

“The clashes erupted after the police raided houses and arrested figures in Amara, including some from the Mehdi Army two days ago,” the leader said. “Now it is quiet, all afternoon the situation has been quiet.”

“The Mehdi Army do not control the city, the city is for all the Iraqis,” the leader added. “The Mehdi Army do not control the police stations and all these reports are false.”

MAJOR TEST: Major Charlie Burbridge of the British Army said his forces had provided air surveillance but the situation was being handled with the help of around 700 Iraqi army troops.