Fighting in Iraq’s oil capital Basra isn’t the first bloodshed between varying political and armed groups but may be the decisive battle for control over the oil sector, local government and the fate of the province.

The violence that has killed dozens and injured hundreds since Tuesday is billed as Iraq's military against "criminals, terrorist forces and outlaws," in the words of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki who this week launched an Iraqi Security Forces offensive into Basra, Ben Lando reports for United Press International.

But political parties and their militias have gained a stronghold in Baghdad and Basra, from elected office to the security forces, police and those protecting the oil infrastructure. And the battle is looking more like two leading political parties against two disenfranchised parties, all Shiite Arab.