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British Troops Patrol Basra Gas Stations
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - British forces in the southern city of Basra patrolled gas stations Sunday after clashes with people angry about increased fuel prices and power outages. About 1,000 angry residents burned tires and hurled rocks and bricks at British soldiers on Saturday, complaining of frequent power cuts and black-market fuel prices, British military spokesman Capt. Hisham Halawi said. Sounds like Detroit on a Sunday afternoon. He said that the power outages were the work of saboteurs, thieves who have taken down cables to sell the copper inside, and temperatures of more than 120 degrees Fahrenheit. There were long lines at gas stations, and ``tempers flared up,ââ Halawi said. British troops were deployed at major gasoline stations ``to ensure people get fuel at right price, not black-market price,ââ he said. Makes you wonder how Iraq is going to fare when the US/UK does pull out -- people there canât even wait in line without fighting amongst themselves. Halawi said coalition forces were investigating reports that Saddam Hussein loyalists and members of his Baath party might have taken advantage of the situation to instigate the riots. No, you think? He said that British soldiers suffered minor bruises in the melee. Iâll bet the protesters got the worst of it. Posted by: Steve White 2003-08-10 |
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