Menu
21/09/2005
Leaders deny Basra unrest
Allegations that relations between Britain and Iraq have become strained, following the arrest and subsequent rescue of two British soldiers on Monday, have been denied by Defence Secretary John Reid.
Speaking at a press conference, following talks with Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim Jaafari, Mr Reid denied that there had been a breakdown of trust between the two countries and said that the incident would be investigated.
Mr Jaafari said: “These things are expected to happen and they will not affect the relationship between Iraq and Britain.”
Two British soldiers, who were allegedly working undercover, were arrested on Monday by Iraqi police, after a shooting at a checkpoint in Basra, where one policeman was allegedly killed and another wounded.
The two men were taken to the Jamiat prison in Basra, but the British army were later reported to have destroyed a wall of the prison in an attempt to rescue the soldiers.
The Ministry of Defence denied the claims and said that the army had to rescue the soldiers from a nearby house after receiving information that local militants were holding them.
The Iraqi Interior Minister, Baqir Solagh Jabr, denied the claims. He told the BBC that the soldiers had never left the jail and had not been handed to militants.
However, there have now been reports that officials have admitted militants were holding the soldiers, while the Iraqi government has reportedly admitted that insurgents have infiltrated the police force.
There were reports of anti-British protests in Basra on Wednesday and calls for Britain’s troops to be withdrawn from Iraq.
However, at Wednesday’s press conference, the Defence Secretary said that troops would not be withdrawn. He said: “Freedom has to be won, often in defiance of those whose only method is terrorism and whose only objective is dictatorship.”
(KMcA/MB)
Speaking at a press conference, following talks with Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim Jaafari, Mr Reid denied that there had been a breakdown of trust between the two countries and said that the incident would be investigated.
Mr Jaafari said: “These things are expected to happen and they will not affect the relationship between Iraq and Britain.”
Two British soldiers, who were allegedly working undercover, were arrested on Monday by Iraqi police, after a shooting at a checkpoint in Basra, where one policeman was allegedly killed and another wounded.
The two men were taken to the Jamiat prison in Basra, but the British army were later reported to have destroyed a wall of the prison in an attempt to rescue the soldiers.
The Ministry of Defence denied the claims and said that the army had to rescue the soldiers from a nearby house after receiving information that local militants were holding them.
The Iraqi Interior Minister, Baqir Solagh Jabr, denied the claims. He told the BBC that the soldiers had never left the jail and had not been handed to militants.
However, there have now been reports that officials have admitted militants were holding the soldiers, while the Iraqi government has reportedly admitted that insurgents have infiltrated the police force.
There were reports of anti-British protests in Basra on Wednesday and calls for Britain’s troops to be withdrawn from Iraq.
However, at Wednesday’s press conference, the Defence Secretary said that troops would not be withdrawn. He said: “Freedom has to be won, often in defiance of those whose only method is terrorism and whose only objective is dictatorship.”
(KMcA/MB)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
20 September 2005
Two British soldiers rescued in Iraq
Two British soldiers were rescued in Basra last night, after being arrested earlier on Monday by Iraqi police, it has been reported. The two soldiers, who may have been working undercover, are believed to have been arrested after failing to stop at a checkpoint in the southern Iraq town of Basra.
Two British soldiers rescued in Iraq
Two British soldiers were rescued in Basra last night, after being arrested earlier on Monday by Iraqi police, it has been reported. The two soldiers, who may have been working undercover, are believed to have been arrested after failing to stop at a checkpoint in the southern Iraq town of Basra.
07 April 2003
Three soldiers killed during fighting in Basra
Three British soldiers have been reported killed in Iraq following two days of sustained fighting to secure Basra. With resistance described as "sporadic" within the city, the soldiers, two from the Irish Guards and one Royal Fusilier, were killed as UK forces sought to consolidate their hold over the southern Iraqi city.
Three soldiers killed during fighting in Basra
Three British soldiers have been reported killed in Iraq following two days of sustained fighting to secure Basra. With resistance described as "sporadic" within the city, the soldiers, two from the Irish Guards and one Royal Fusilier, were killed as UK forces sought to consolidate their hold over the southern Iraqi city.
07 September 2007
Two British Soldiers Killed Are Named
Two British soldiers killed in an explosion in Afghanistan have been named by the Ministry of Defence. Private Ben Ford, 18, and Private Damian Wright, 23, were both from the 2nd Battallion The Mercian Regiment. They were taking part in a routine reassurance patrol when the WMIK Landrover vehicle they were travelling in was caught in an explosion.
Two British Soldiers Killed Are Named
Two British soldiers killed in an explosion in Afghanistan have been named by the Ministry of Defence. Private Ben Ford, 18, and Private Damian Wright, 23, were both from the 2nd Battallion The Mercian Regiment. They were taking part in a routine reassurance patrol when the WMIK Landrover vehicle they were travelling in was caught in an explosion.
01 August 2006
Three British soldiers killed in Afghanistan
Three British soldiers have been killed in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed. A fourth soldier was seriously injured. The MoD said that the troops were part of the 4,000-strong Nato-led International Security Assistance Force on patrol in the volatile Helmand Province around 0630 GMT when they were attacked.
Three British soldiers killed in Afghanistan
Three British soldiers have been killed in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed. A fourth soldier was seriously injured. The MoD said that the troops were part of the 4,000-strong Nato-led International Security Assistance Force on patrol in the volatile Helmand Province around 0630 GMT when they were attacked.
28 September 2004
Two soldiers killed in southern Iraq
Two British soldiers have died following an ambush outside the town of Basra in southern Iraq, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed. Soldiers came under fire as they tried to rescue others from an armoured Land Rover which had been hit by a rocket-propelled grenade at around 0615BST.
Two soldiers killed in southern Iraq
Two British soldiers have died following an ambush outside the town of Basra in southern Iraq, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed. Soldiers came under fire as they tried to rescue others from an armoured Land Rover which had been hit by a rocket-propelled grenade at around 0615BST.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A mostly cloudy start with scattered showers, the showers becoming more isolated and largely confined to the south this morning. Becoming brighter this afternoon, the best of any sunnier spells across northern counties. Northerly winds easing. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:A dry evening with late sunny spells and some long clear spells overnight. Becoming cloudier across the north towards dawn with a few showers possible. Touch of frost in south. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
