Clashes involving multiple weapons erupted near a bridge as Shiite groups continued fighting in Iraq.

Video shows what appeared to be rockets streaking across the sky over Basrah City as pro-Iraq and pro-Iran rival factions fired at each other in the early hours of Thursday morning on September 1.

The chaos began after powerful Iraqi nationalist cleric Muqtada al-Sadr announced his retirement from politics on Monday, prompting his followers to flood the streets of Iraq in a violent frenzy.

The protesters stormed Baghdad's Green Zone, with the uproar reportedly spreading to cities in the south.

Medical officials told local media that at least 15 people have died in the fighting while 350 more were injured.

Before his withdrawal, Al-Sadr's supporters had been staging sit-in protests outside the parliament complex in Baghdad to install him as Iraq's premier after months of political gridlock that has left the country without a government.

The nationalist cleric and his faction were reportedly opposing the nomination of Mohammed Shia al-Sudani for the post as they believed he was 'too close' to Iran.