Clashes between South Sudanese forces and two separate rebel militias have left at least 90 people dead, an SPLA spokesman said March 7. In Jonglei state, the SPLA battled a militia loyal to renegade southern general George Athor, while in neighboring Upper Nile state SPLA troops fought an apparently allied militia under a warlord who was formerly backed by Khartoum, and whose name is rendered variously as Ulony or Oliny. Despite obvious fears that Khartoum is sponsoring rebel militias to take back lands from the SPLA before South Sudan's formal secession in July, Jonglei governor Kuol Manyang said that the fighting was due to a "long-time dispute" over land between the communities of Ayual and Dacuek. The clashes come despite the an offer to let the militias join the SPLA as part of South Sudan President Salva Kiir's amnesty to rebel fighters in October. (Middle East Online, BBC News, March 7; Sudan Tribune, March 4)

Moammar Qaddafi's forces gained ground against rebels in the battle over the oil port of Ras Lanuf on March 7, with his fighter jets targeting rebel defenses on the edge of town. Fierce fighting was also reported in the western city of Misrata, with the UN demanding urgent access to scores of "injured and dying." (Middle East Online, March 7)

Suspected al-Qaeda gunmen killed four soldiers in Yemen on March 6—the day after President Ali Abdullah Saleh refused to yield to protesters demanding his immediate resignation. The elite Republican Guard soldiers were ambushed near Marib about 170 kilometers east of Sanaa, the capital. The attack was not overtly connected to the wave of anti-government protests. Security forces arrested 16 protesters in the main southern city Aden on March 5. At least 19 protesters have been killed by security forces or regime supporters since Feb. 16, according to an AFP toll. (Middle East Online, March 6)

Thousands of protesters converged on cities and towns across Iraq March 4, streaming in on foot in defiance of vehicle bans for rallies over corruption, unemployment and poor public services. Some 2,000 gathered in Baghdad's Tahrir Square, while large protests were also reported in Mosul, Basra and Nasiriyah and Basra. The Baghdad rally eventually ended when security forces overran the square, forcing the remaining 200-odd protesters to leave. In Basra, security forces used water cannons to disperse demonstrators. The wave of protests has prompted Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki to give his cabinet 100 days to instate reforms or face the sack—but he remains the target of popular ire. The Baghdad protesters chanted "Liar, Liar, Nuri al-Maliki" as well as "Oil for the people, not for the thieves" and "Yes for democracy and the protection of freedom." (Middle East Online, March 4)

Thousands of protesters gathered March 6 at Manama's al-Qudaibiya Palace, where Bahrain's cabinet meets, chanting slogans against the small but strategic Persian Gulf state's monarchy. Helmeted police with riot shields stood behind the gate, as demonstrators chanted "Down Hamad! Down Hamad!"—a reference to Bahrain's King Hamad. Another chant was "Hey Khalifa, get out! Get out!"—referring to the prime minister of four decades, Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman al-Khalifa. Protesters also chanted against the 2002 constitution, which established an appointed upper house that has veto powers over the decisions of the elected chamber. "The 2002 constitution falls for the sake of Bahrain," demonstrators chorused in a refrain that rhymes in Arabic. Bahrain is ruled by the Sunni al-Khalifa family but has a Shi'ite majority, which has been at the forefront of the protests. (Middle East Online, March 6)

Heavy gunfire broke out in Tripoli March 6, as rebels dismissed claims on Libyan state TV that forces loyal to Moammar Qaddafi have recaptured a string of key towns, including Misrata, Tobruk and oil hub Ras Lanuf. It is clearer that Sirte—Qaddafi's hometown on the central coast—and Sebha in the south remain in government hands. A militia led by the dictator's son Khamis Qaddafi is said to have shelled the rebel-held city of Zawiyah, 30 miles west of Tripoli, before moving in with more than 20 tanks. Witnesses in Zawiyah said at least 30 people, ­including women and children, were killed as tanks blasted houses, cars and ­ambulances trying to reach the wounded, and troops dragged people from their homes.

From the New York Post, March 4:

Woman knocked into coma in parking fight
She was only trying to save a parking spot—and now doctors are trying to save her life.

Oil prices rose past $104 a barrel on March 4, marking a two-and-a-half-year high and sending stocks sharply lower on Wall Street, as fighting in Libya and unrest in the Arab world intensified. As a result of the unrest, Libya's production halved, forcing Saudi Arabia to hike output to make up for the resulting shortfall. Libya has Africa's largest oil reserves and contributed about 2% of global production before the crisis broke out. The spread of unrest to Saudi Arabia, the world's number one exporter, helped further drive up prices. (AP, Proactive Investors, The Street, March 5)