New violence erupts in Iraq; Two American civilians killed; At least 130 Iraqis dead

"American-trained Iraqi security forces failed for a third straight day to oust Shiite militias from the southern city of Basra on Thursday," the New York Times reported.

CNN also reported that 28 rockets were fired Tuesday and Wednesday, and U.S. Embassy workers were told to remain in secure buildings in Baghdad's Green Zone. At least two U.S. civilians were killed in the attacks this week, according to the network.

Meanwhile, Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr has called for a political solution to the recent crisis, according to the Voice of America, which said he issued a statement on Thursday in the holy Shi'ite city of Najaf encouraging the parties to pursue political solutions.

More than 130 Iraqis have reportedly died in three days of heavy fighting and hundreds more have been injured, according to Al Jazeera.