BAGHDAD, March 1 (Reuters) - Fierce clashes between insurgents and police left at least eight people dead and 11 wounded south of Baghdad on Thursday, police sources said.

The clashes occurred in the religiously mixed town of Iskandariya, 40 km (25 miles) south of Baghdad, and police said both sides suffered casualties.

A police source said the clashes were still in progress and they expected the casualty toll to rise.

Sunni insurgents have waged a long campaign against the Shi'ite-led government that swept to power after the country's first multi-party elections for decades in 2005.

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