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British Army joins Basra fighting British Army joins Basra fighting
(about 1 hour 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 become directly involved in the fighting in Basra, as clashes continue between the Iraqi army 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. British troops 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. It is the first time they have directly joined the fighting since the Iraqi army operation began on Tuesday.
"This is something we were always prepared to do", he said. The British Army spokesman in Basra said the engagement had been a success.
"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." Iraqi government forces have been trying to wrest control of Basra and other Shia areas from the Mehdi Army - a Shia militia loyal to the radical cleric Moqtada Sadr.
Across Iraq, fighting has claimed an estimated 200 lives since Tuesday.
The Iraqi Prime Minister, Nouri Maliki, has given the Mehdi Army until 8 April to lay down their arms - which they have refused to do.
'Complicated operation''Complicated operation'
It is the first time that British forces have engaged militias since the Iraqi army operation began in the city on Tuesday morning. In Basra, British aircraft had been patrolling the skies during the course of the Iraqi government forces' operation, but had previously not 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 had previously 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. Major Tom Holloway said: "This is something we were always prepared to do.
Maj Holloway said the Iraqi action against militiamen in the Basra area was a "complicated operation". "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."
He 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.