 British troops have arrested several Iraqis suspected of plotting a bombing campaign ahead of Sunday's election. The operation on Friday involved Iraqi special forces and 200 Scots Guards in raids on four houses in Basra. The alleged large-scale bomb campaign was thought to have been aimed at polling stations and coalition troops based in the southern city. The UK troops came under fire as they raided one house, about 150 yards from a polling station. There were no casualties. The raids took place during the night curfew imposed by the interim Iraqi government in the run up to the elections. Two units from the new Iraqi army's elite tactical support unit led the raid, supported by two companies of the Scots Guards in Land Rovers. |