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| UK troops storm Iraqi police HQ | UK troops storm Iraqi police HQ |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| More than 1,000 UK troops have stormed the headquarters of an Iraqi police unit to rescue 178 prisoners, dozens of whom they had feared would be killed. | More than 1,000 UK troops have stormed the headquarters of an Iraqi police unit to rescue 178 prisoners, dozens of whom they had feared would be killed. |
| The forces demolished the Jamiat police station, which was the Serious Crimes Unit's base in the city. | The forces demolished the Jamiat police station, which was the Serious Crimes Unit's base in the city. |
| Spokesman Major Charlie Burbridge said the unit, suspected of serious crimes and murder, had been disbanded. | Spokesman Major Charlie Burbridge said the unit, suspected of serious crimes and murder, had been disbanded. |
| Meanwhile, US forces in Iraq have detained two Iranian envoys who were invited in by President Jalal Talabani. | Meanwhile, US forces in Iraq have detained two Iranian envoys who were invited in by President Jalal Talabani. |
| A spokesman told the French news agency AFP that the president was unhappy with the arrests. | A spokesman told the French news agency AFP that the president was unhappy with the arrests. |
| The Christmas Day raid took place at about 0200 local time (2300 GMT) and was a "very significant move" according to Maj Burbridge. | The Christmas Day raid took place at about 0200 local time (2300 GMT) and was a "very significant move" according to Maj Burbridge. |
| It came after seven Iraqi officers were arrested on Friday suspected of corruption and leading a death squad at the unit. | It came after seven Iraqi officers were arrested on Friday suspected of corruption and leading a death squad at the unit. |
| Grenade attack | Grenade attack |
| We've removed a very significant and nasty part of the police force Maj Charlie Burbridge | We've removed a very significant and nasty part of the police force Maj Charlie Burbridge |
| "For some time we've been talking about culling the police force, well this is exactly what we've done," he said. | "For some time we've been talking about culling the police force, well this is exactly what we've done," he said. |
| "We've removed a very significant and nasty part of the police force which has been scaring people in Basra, and ultimately it's going to make Basra a better place." | "We've removed a very significant and nasty part of the police force which has been scaring people in Basra, and ultimately it's going to make Basra a better place." |
| He said the unit had been involved in the murders of both locals and international troops. | He said the unit had been involved in the murders of both locals and international troops. |
| Forces came under initial small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenade attack before moving in to set up explosives to destroy the building, he added. | Forces came under initial small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenade attack before moving in to set up explosives to destroy the building, he added. |
| Helicopter support | Helicopter support |
| The British forces' Cpt Tane Dunlop said the troops carried out medical assessments of detainees at the building before transferring them to another police station. | The British forces' Cpt Tane Dunlop said the troops carried out medical assessments of detainees at the building before transferring them to another police station. |
| BBC News correspondent Huw Williams in Basra said the troops had full support from helicopters and heavy armour. | |
| A military operation at Jamiat in September last year rescued two British soldiers - arrested for allegedly shooting dead a policeman and wounding another- sparking unrest in which Army vehicles were attacked. | |
| There is no day off Captain Tane Dunlop href="/1/hi/uk/6208131.stm" class="">Christmas in Basra | |
| Basra, Iraq's second biggest city, remains dangerous with Shia factions battling each other for control. | Basra, Iraq's second biggest city, remains dangerous with Shia factions battling each other for control. |
| The UK has 7,200 troops in the south of Iraq, mostly in the Basra area. | |
| British soldiers have been making the best of Christmas away from home, and have put up decorations at their bases. | |
| Officers will serve their men Christmas lunch, and midnight mass and carol services have been organised. | |
| However, Cpt Dunlop said: "There is no day off. We are still on patrol, supporting patrols, working on logistics and so on." |