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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| British Army joins Basra fighting | British Army joins Basra fighting |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| British forces have joined the fighting in Basra, as clashes continued between Iraqi government forces and militiamen of the Mehdi Army. | British forces have joined the fighting in Basra, as clashes continued between Iraqi government forces and militiamen of the Mehdi Army. |
| The British Army launched artillery shells at a mortar position in the al-Klalaf area of northern Basra, which had been firing on Iraqi troops. | The British Army launched artillery shells at a mortar position in the al-Klalaf area of northern Basra, which had been firing on Iraqi troops. |
| The British Army spokesman in Basra, Major Tom Holloway, told BBC News that the engagement had been successful. | The British Army spokesman in Basra, Major Tom Holloway, told BBC News that the engagement had been successful. |
| "This is something we were always prepared to do", he said. | "This is something we were always prepared to do", he said. |
| "There are still a number of militia, criminal strong points in the city and we know where they are. Elsewhere they are consolidating their positions and gains from previous days." | |
| It is the first time that British forces have engaged militias since the Iraqi army operation began in the city on Tuesday morning. | It is the first time that British forces have engaged militias since the Iraqi army operation began in the city on Tuesday morning. |
| British aircraft have been patrolling the skies above Basra during the course of the operation, but have not so far been used to attack militiamen. | British aircraft have been patrolling the skies above Basra during the course of the operation, but have not so far been used to attack militiamen. |
| They have been used only for surveillance, and as a warning to fighters on the ground. | They have been used only for surveillance, and as a warning to fighters on the ground. |
| Maj Holloway said the Iraqi action against militiamen in the Basra area was a "complicated operation". | Maj Holloway said the Iraqi action against militiamen in the Basra area was a "complicated operation". |
| "I think we need to be prepared for this to run for a while", he said. | "I think we need to be prepared for this to run for a while", he said. |
| The Mehdi Army is a Shia militia loyal to the radical cleric Moqtada Sadr. It controls large areas of Basra. | |
| The Iraqi Prime Minister, Nouri Maliki, has given the Mehdi Army until 8 April to lay down their arms. |