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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 127 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 127 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 Basra. | The forces demolished the Jamiat police station, which was the Serious Crimes Unit's base in Basra. |
| The British said the unit was suspected of murder and the rescued prisoners appeared to have been tortured. | The British said the unit was suspected of murder and the rescued prisoners appeared to have been tortured. |
| However, Mohammed al Abadi, head of the city's council, said the raid was illegal and provocative. | |
| He said the council had withdrawn co-operation with the military, saying they had not been informed of the operation and that it violated earlier agreements. | |
| Major Charlie Burbridge, speaking on behalf of the British Army in Basra, insisted that the troops had prior political support from Iraq's prime minister, Nuri al-Malaki. | |
| 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 on the police station took place at about 0200 local time (2300 GMT) and was a "very significant move" according to Maj Burbridge. | |
| Grenade attack | Grenade attack |
| 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. |
| 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." |
| Maj Burbridge said the Jamiat building was "very significant" and claimed that the unit had been involved in the murders of both locals and international troops. | Maj Burbridge said the Jamiat building was "very significant" and claimed that the unit had been involved in the murders of both locals and international troops. |
| "Whilst that building remained on the skyline, it was always a reminder of the Serious Crimes Unit and the crimes they commit and also the former regime. | "Whilst that building remained on the skyline, it was always a reminder of the Serious Crimes Unit and the crimes they commit and also the former regime. |
| "Now that has gone, it removes that reminder and we can continue to rehabilitate the remainder of the police force." | "Now that has gone, it removes that reminder and we can continue to rehabilitate the remainder of the police force." |
| The operation was planned since July but intelligence led them to act fast to prevent the alleged killing of prisoners. | |
| 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 troops carried out medical assessments of detainees before transferring them to another police station, and said there was evidence of torture. | The troops carried out medical assessments of detainees before transferring them to another police station, and said there was evidence of torture. |
| Some had crushed hands and feet, and electricity burns and gun shot wounds to the legs, they said. | Some had crushed hands and feet, and electricity burns and gun shot wounds to the legs, they said. |
| The troops had full support from helicopters and heavy armour. | 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. | 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 have been long-held fears that the Iraqi police was being infiltrated by corrupt officers. | There have been long-held fears that the Iraqi police was being infiltrated by corrupt officers. |
| And British forces have said some Iraqi commanders were using the unit as a cover for death squads and criminal activities which they controlled. | And British forces have said some Iraqi commanders were using the unit as a cover for death squads and criminal activities which they controlled. |
| Visible symbol | Visible symbol |
| BBC News correspondent Huw Williams said the demolition of the building was a visible symbol of the hope that the serious crimes carried out by police officers based there should now come to an end. | BBC News correspondent Huw Williams said the demolition of the building was a visible symbol of the hope that the serious crimes carried out by police officers based there should now come to an end. |
| There is no day off Captain Tane Dunlop Christmas in Basra In pictures: Police HQ raid Send us your messages | There is no day off Captain Tane Dunlop Christmas in Basra In pictures: Police HQ raid Send us your messages |
| 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. | 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. | 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. | Officers will serve their men Christmas lunch, and midnight mass and carol services have been organised. |
| However, Captain Tane Dunlop said: "There is no day off. We are still on patrol, supporting patrols, working on logistics and so on." | However, Captain Tane Dunlop said: "There is no day off. We are still on patrol, supporting patrols, working on logistics and so on." |