British tanks take Basra, surround Baath Party Headquarters

ABC news online ^ | April 7, 2003

[Gorilla44]

British tanks rolled into the centre of Basra on Sunday and surrounded the local Baath Party headquarters, effectively taking control of Iraq's southern metropolis, military officials said.

"We control the vast majority of the city," British military spokesman Colonel Chris Vernon said in Kuwait.

"But there are some places we don't control, for example the old city."

Vernon told reporters that British tanks had moved into the city centre, the south and the north.

At least 300 Fedayeen militia fighters were estimated to have died in clashes over two days as the British surged forward, a senior officer claimed.

Colonel Hugh Blackman, of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, said around 150 Iraqis were killed on Saturday during fierce exchanges with his men and at least the same number died during Sunday's assault, with only "a couple of dozen" taken alive.

As the troops and tanks made their way towards the centre, locals poured out into the streets to greet their advance, many of them waving and cheering, others standing silently on pavements as the tanks passed.

[Gorilla44]

Yea! The Brits have taken out at least 300 Fedayeen in last two days!

[tomahawk]

The Brits have fought brilliantly.

They are fantastic allies.

[MediaMole]

I'm begining to think these Fedayeen thugs may actually be Special Republican Guard. It would make some sense, since the hardest fighting seemed to be in the south and we have faced fewer of these paramilitary types as we got north of Nasyriah.

The SRG would certainly be willing to shoot civilians and commit the other atrocities that have happened in the south.

[Enterprise]

"But there are some places we don't control, for example the old city."

I imagine this is going to change shortly.

[LS]

JEEEEZZZZ. Finally someone else gets it.

I said this four days ago and got criticized, if not flamed. Note the responses.

Is it really the "Republican Guard?" A Hypothesis

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/882911/posts

[Orangedog]

British tanks take Basra, surround Baath Party Headquarters

There's always room for one more parking lot in Iraq!

[headsonpikes]

Raise a toast to the doughty Brits!

[BushMeister]

I will continue to show my appreciation by for our British allies by drinking Boddington Ale, Bass Ale, Newcastle Brown and other fine British brews.

It's the least I can do!

[Parmenio]

Watch yourself! Bass is owned by the weasel Belgian company Interbrew.

[bandleader]

I Wonder When It Is That AMERICAN TANKS Will"Surround"DemonRat HQs?????????

[Parmenio]

Watch yourself! Bass is owned by the weasel Belgian company Interbrew.