An armed assault on a police station in south Basra, Iraq by hundreds of British and Iraqi troops killed seven to rescue 127 prisoners who were at almost certain execution. It was one of the most significant attacks done by British troops since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Later, the british officials said that it was a necessary step to reestablish security in Basra.
The combined British and Iraqi force of 1,400 troops have taken control of the police station and found the prisoners being held in appalling condition. Officials said that more than 100 men were put in a single cell of 30 feet by 40 feet. There were two open toilets, two sinks and just a few blankets provided to the prisoners. They also found some signs of torture too.
Some prisoners had crushed hands and feet and some had cigarette and electrical burns and even gunshot wounds on their legs and knees.
The police station was one of the biggest in Basra, Iraq’s second largest city. The Pictures released by the Ministry of Defence has showed the two-storey building erupting in a cloud of debris and dust in an explosion that reduced it to wreckage.
On the other hand, Basra’s police chief Brigadier Mohammed al-Musawi has accused the British troops for trying to stir up trouble in the area. He said also that he was unaware of the operation. However, the Iraqi Defence Ministry has confirmed that it had given consent to the operation.
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