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2-4-2003 PA News Heavy The following is a pooled despatch from Gethin Chamberlain of The Scotsman, with the Black Watch near Basra. British troops have been involved in heavy fighting around the southern Iraqi city of Basra as they step up their campaign against the city. Fedayeen militia were targeted by overnight bombing raids, in which 16 JDAM bombs - 2,000lb devices guided to their targets using global positioning satellite technology - were dropped on the city, but there was no official confirmation of casualty figures. British artillery was also in action against the city and tanks of the Queen's Dragoon Guards engaged and destroyed six Iraqi tanks which had been firing on British positions. The tanks are believed to have previously been concealed behind defensive sand berms. British troops also came under fire from mortar positions inside the city. British military commanders say they are prepared to wait for the right moment to enter the city rather than risk heavy casualties in a direct assault while resistance is still strong. People who have fled Basra have told troops that the militia have taken over schools, hospitals and even mosques and maintained a tight grip on the city. The feeling on the ground is that the British battle groups would rather wait until the fall of Baghdad, which could be enough to convince the civilian population to turn on the Iraqi authorities in the city. But the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers has now established a bridgehead in the north of Basra and raids are continuing to test out the strength of the defending forces. British commanders, buoyed by the success of the humanitarian aid effort in the nearby town of Az Zubayr, are keen to get aid into Basra. Water was restored to most parts of Az Zubayr yesterday, the day after the commanding officer of the Black Watch, Lt Col Mike Riddell-Webster, led the first foot patrol into the town to speak to the local people and assure them that British military engineers would help restore services. But British officials say they are still wary of the threat from suicide bombers, and that has now been identified as the main threat to British troops in the area outside Basra. Captain Rob Sandford, with the Black Watch, said there was evidence to suggest that people had been promised money for their families if they were prepared to strap bombs to their bodies to blow up themselves and British troops. end
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................................................................................................................. Copyright ©2004 Gethin Chamberlain. All rights reserved. |
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