The entire staff of the independent electoral commission in the Iraqi northern city of Mosul, amounting to about 700 employees, have resigned amid growing violence in the country. Staff members said on Thursday their resignation followed threats they received in the past few days. The withdrawal of the Iraqi Islamic Party from the election also figured in their decision, Aljazeera has learned. In a related move that could affect the 30 January elections, Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr's political office announced it was taking legal action against the interim Iraqi government for alleged torture and murder of its members. Fadhil al-Shara, an al-Sadr official, said the legal action focused on the Iraqi police in Hilla, who are alleged to have arrested 15 al-Sadr supporters in the town and tortured another four to death. **Mortar attack*** On Thursday, violence raged unabated throughout Iraq. In the southern town of Amara, an explosive device hit a British convoy and damaged one of its vehicles. The blast occurred in front of the headquarters of the British forces, which had earlier came under a mortar attack from unidentified fighters. In the northern city of Mosul, a car bomb detonated as a US military convoy passed the western al-Yarmuk neighbourhood. Mosul has witnessed intense fighting in recent days, with the US military announcing that a daylight assault on one of its compounds resulted in the deaths of 25 Iraqi fighters and one US soldier. Fifteen US soldiers were also wounded in the attack. **Other incidents*** Also on Thursday, in Baiji, four Iraqis thought to have been working with US forces, were found killed inside their car while another Iraqi was killed by US fire in the Siniya neighbourhood, north of the town. In al-Muatasim neighbourhood, south of the town of Samarra, US forces killed two Iraqis and wounded a third. A US Humvee vehicle was destroyed when an explosive device detonated in the same town. In Baghdad, two trucks transporting supplies to the US army were destroyed on the highway leading to Baghdad's international airport. In yet another incident, this one in Hyit, US forces raided the tomb of Abdallah Mubarak and arrested four of the guards. **PHOTO CAPTION*** Pallbearers carry the casket of Staff Sgt. Lynn R. Poulin Sr. following funeral services at the Notre Dame Church, Thursday, Dec. 30, 2004, in Waterville, Maine. (AP)