Free Republic

AL AMARAH is a particularly difficult and violent place to police. With an estimated population of about 400,000, it has a history of rule by rival sheikhs, each with their own private armies. Even Saddam Hussein found it hard to maintain control over the Shia population and in 1999 he had to send in his Special Republican Guard to try to suppress a local uprising. When British troops took over from United States forces at the end of the war, they attempted to work with the sheikhs to establish ground rules for local government. Initial attempts appeared to be successful...

Britain has opened an investigation into new allegations of abuse by its forces in Iraq after a newspaper released what it described as videos showing soldiers savagely beating Iraqi youths. The News of the World said on Sunday the alleged attack by eight soldiers, which followed a scene showing youths throwing stones at the soldiers, was videotaped in southern Iraq in early 2004. CNN has not confirmed the authenticity of the film. Britain's defense ministry said it was aware of the "serious allegations" and that a military police investigation was looking into them. "We condemn all acts of abuse and...

Dog team at Shaibah2 Press Information Centre Multinational Division (South East) Basra International Airport Op Telic BFPO 641 IRAQ Tel: 07979 705951 or 00965 911 3350/ 3370 email: picbasrah@ defencemediaops. co. uk 17 Jan 04 Story by Nigel Sargeant BRITISH ARMY DOGS: FOUR-LEGGED 'FORCE MULTIPLIER'IN IRAQ Among the 8,000-plus British troops helping to keep law and order in Iraq, there is a small, highly expert team who more than earn their rations. The Theatre Military Working Dog Support Unit is a vital asset to Multinational Division (South East) based in Basrah, south east Iraq. The 13,000 strong Division, from...

She's the firebrand left-wing MP who stunned the Commons into silence when she backed Tony Blair over Iraq. Many said she saved the Prime Minister's skin. After a momentous year, Ann Clwyd talks to Kamal Ahmed Ann Clwyd was in the shower when the news started coming in from Iraq. Saddam Hussein had been captured, dead, alive, no one was quite sure. It was early on Sunday morning, 15 December. She got an excited telephone call from a friend in Iraqi Kurdistan saying, 'Have you heard, have you heard? Saddam has been found'. For Tony Blair's human rights envoy to...

Here's a publicly available Order of Battle for our forces. I think the media could take a look at it as well since they are really struggling with the distinction between brigade, battalion, and division. Note that it includes estimates of number of people, armored vehicles, etc. Nothing follows (so click the link already!)Click to Go to Order of Battle