British forces are preparing a move to secure the southern Iraqi city of Basra. Several days ago British military officials they would prefer to negotiate surrenders with enemy troops rather than move into the city itself. But the British force has continued to face intense resistance on the fringes of the city. There were artillery exchanges throughout Monday.
| So now they're through passing gas and they'll do what they should have done in the first place? Good idea! |
Group Capt Al Lockwood, spokesman for British forces in the Gulf, said: "Our forces now surround Basra and we are obviously assessing the situation before we commence operations to take out the non-regular militia." He said time was on the British side, but acknowledged that the humanitarian concerns were an issue. Shameless UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has warned of a rising humanitarian crisis in the city, saying urgent measures had to be taken to restore electricity and water supply to Basra's 1.3 million people.
| "I mean, it's been five, six days now! Why, oh why, haven't the Humanitarian Concerns® of the World Community® been addressed?" |
Group Captain Lockwood continued: "What we wish to do is obviously secure Basra as quickly as possible. "There are over a million people in Basra and we are only dealing with a very small number of opposition. "We need to secure the city for the inhabitants and to ensure that their basic necessities in life are taken care of, and obviously that the necessary humanitarian aid, medical facilities are restored as quickly as possible."
| Start by killing all the Baathists. The rest will follow naturally. |
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