Posted on 09/19/2005 1:23:25 PM PDT by jmc1969
BASRA, Iraq (AP) - British forces using tanks broke down the walls of the central jail in the southern city of Basra late Monday and freed two Britons, allegedly undercover commandos, who had been arrested on charges of shooting two Iraqi policemen.
Witnesses said about 150 Iraqi prisoners also fled the jail.
Violence flared earlier in the day as demonstrators hurled stones and Molotov cocktails at British tanks; at least four people were killed.
The fighting erupted after British armor encircled the jail where the two Britons were being held. During the melee one soldier could be seen scrambling for his life from a burning tank and the rock-throwing mob.
What the hell is going on down there?
Brits probably sent in undercover agents and the Iraqis didn't know it.
>>two Britons, allegedly undercover commandos
Something very ugly under the rocks type of thing about this story.
Undercover commandos? Sheesh.
What the hell were they reaally doing. Musta been important for the Britishers to rescue a couple of armed thugs by a prison break.
And if they weren't armed thugs, why were they undercover.
Why'd they shoot at Iraqi police.
WTF was really going on.
Stinks.
Snake pit done up Muhammadan style.
So they had to storm a jail?
They were finding out who is attacking British troops in Southern Iraq with IEDs, and the answer is pro-Iranian militias.
There is speculation that some police stations are infiltrated by Al-Sadr goons to the extent that they are not on our side at all.
The Iraqi police is "allowed" to torture information out of prisoners.
Agree with you, something big is happening. I saw pics of these guys that the Iraqis had released. They had SAS written all over them. So, tell me, what were the Iraqis doing hoding two SAS guys? And what were the SAS guys doing? Somehow, I believe, Iran is involved in this.
Strange report, and could result in more trouble if the British truly attacked the local authorities. Why couldn't they just quietly ask for these guys to be handed over?
"rescue a couple of armed thugs by a prison break"
I see you hold our allies in high regard
You have never heard of the British Commandoes ? The US Forces also have complimentary forces like that.
Does that offend you also?
I would imagine, but why not just ask for them?
Is the local police anti-Brit?
Guess they forgot that those who give up honor to have peace in the end will have neither.
Meanwhile, officers and men from Her Majesty's armed forces are prosecuted like police officers back in London for using 'excessive force' during wartime. Endless New Labour PC moonbattery.
That kind of depends on who is holding them, real police or terrorists in police uniforms ?
Here we go again. We must be the bad guys, huh? So undercover agents trying to infiltrate the SADR supported milita and renegade police end up being caught and threatened with torture in an outlaw police station. What would you have the Brits do? Wait for the men to have their intestines wrapped around a crowbar to force them to talk? Good grief.
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