Article

2003-03-28 Iraq

British Forces radio reports atrocity near Basra

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Posted by kgb 2003-03-28 03:49 am|| || Front Page|| [2 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 Here's a report from the BBC WarblogSouthern Iraq :: Tim Franks :: 0819GMT

According to a British military spokeswoman, between one thousand and two thousand civilians tried to leave Basra en masse. Those people were, in the spokeswoman's words, 'engaged' by Iraqi militia. The civilians turned back and returned towards the city.

As a result, the Black Watch battalion of Britain's 7th Armoured Brigade, which is sitting to the south and west of the city, started firing at the local militia. The fighting, we're told, is still continuing. The episode does not in itself indicate we're at a decisive military stage in the battle for Basra; it does suggest that conditions are bad enough in Iraq's second city for that number of civilians to try to flee.

Posted by kgb 2003-03-28 04:06:22|| 2003-03-28 04:06:22|| Front Page Top

#2 Southern Iraq :: Hilary Andersson :: 1420GMT

We've just heard more about the 2000 civilians who were trying to flee Basra this morning. We've been told in the last few minutes by British troops that they have now destroyed the Iraqi paramilitary positions and vehicles that supposedly opened fire on the civilians.

British ambulances have now been able to get through to treat the wounded. A handful of civilians were injured, but so far there are no reports of any deaths.

Posted by Bulldog 2003-03-28 08:49:52|| 2003-03-28 08:49:52|| Front Page Top

#3 Black Watch battalion forces in Warrior armoured fighting vehicles are believed to have attempted to place themselves between the militia and the civilians being fired upon. Lieutenant Colonel Michael Riddell-Webster, the Black Watch battle group commander, told Mr Bruce that Ba'ath Party militia had been shooting at their own people to prevent them escaping into the British sector in search of food and water. "They have also been mortaring us quite accurately," said Mr Riddell-Webster. "They are using pick-up trucks with weapons bolted to the back of them as mobile firing platforms. "That makes them more difficult to spot and hit." The brigade then called in air support from two British Lynx helicopter gunships to target the pick-up trucks. A forward air controller reported "two good hits".
Anybody get the feeling that Sammy has been watching "Blackhawk Down" and failed to pick-up on the part about our guys not having armor and air support?

Posted by Steve 2003-03-28 10:28:43|| 2003-03-28 10:28:43|| Front Page Top

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