This image provided by the British Army shows the Jameat police station in Basra, Iraq, Monday, Dec. 25, 2006 being destroyed in an explosion by British troops following a raid.
Photo: AP
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Britain’s Troops Got Rid Of Basra Renegades
Britain’s forces raided and destroyed yesterday a serious crime unit in the southern Iraqi city of Basra, which officers were suspected of killing and kidnapping. The forces stormed the police station after receiving intelligence that renegade policemen might execute 178 prisoners.
The operation to end the criminal activities of Basra police started in early December and seven officers were detained on suspected creation of death battalions from local Shiites even before yesterday. The initial intention was to get rid of the unit without a fuss.
But the forces had to storm the station after receiving intelligence that the renegade policemen will attempt to execute prisoners.
The coordinated attack was staged Monday. It involved roughly 1000 troops of Britain and Iraq and was backed up by the tanks and helicopters. The military faced the massed intense fire, but the resistance didn’t last for long. The first thing the troops did after bursting into the building was to take custody of prisoners, whose number turned out a bit less than expected.
Most of 76 prisoners had the signs of wounds, signalling they had been tortured. After the thorough medical examination, the detainees were moved to other police stations.
The decision of British military was to raze the serious crime unite in Basra. Once the prisoners and the police left the building, it was filled with explosives and blown up.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of Dec. 26, 2006
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