Felix the Cat
01-25-2006, 02:33 PM
400 British troops in swoop on 'corrupt' Basra police (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/01/25/wirq125.xml&sSheet=/news/2006/01/25/ixworld.html)
Relations between British forces and the Iraqi authorities in Basra were in the balance last night after more than 400 troops raided policemen's homes to arrest "rogue elements" suspected of murder and corruption.
The dawn raids, supported by 150 Danish soldiers, are part of a drive to arrest people, including possible terrorists, who have infiltrated the police.
The rapport that the British had built up with the local authorities broke down last year after two SAS soldiers had to be rescued when a police chief handed them over to the local militia.
At the time the Basra authorities said they would withdraw co-operation with the British, and relations have been difficult since.
"It is a question of seeing how the situation on the ground pans out and that is very difficult to predict," a military source said last night.
Major Peter Cripps, a British military spokesman in Basra, said the officers were detained in connection with corruption and a number of unsolved murders in the city.
He said 14 people had been detained in the operation, including "influential" members of the Basra police force's serious crimes and internal affairs units and the criminal investigation agency. Nine had since been released.
"They are believed to be following their own agenda, including corruption, assassination and the persecution of Basra citizens," he said.
British forces have been repeatedly attacked by roadside bombs in recent months.
Relations between British forces and the Iraqi authorities in Basra were in the balance last night after more than 400 troops raided policemen's homes to arrest "rogue elements" suspected of murder and corruption.
The dawn raids, supported by 150 Danish soldiers, are part of a drive to arrest people, including possible terrorists, who have infiltrated the police.
The rapport that the British had built up with the local authorities broke down last year after two SAS soldiers had to be rescued when a police chief handed them over to the local militia.
At the time the Basra authorities said they would withdraw co-operation with the British, and relations have been difficult since.
"It is a question of seeing how the situation on the ground pans out and that is very difficult to predict," a military source said last night.
Major Peter Cripps, a British military spokesman in Basra, said the officers were detained in connection with corruption and a number of unsolved murders in the city.
He said 14 people had been detained in the operation, including "influential" members of the Basra police force's serious crimes and internal affairs units and the criminal investigation agency. Nine had since been released.
"They are believed to be following their own agenda, including corruption, assassination and the persecution of Basra citizens," he said.
British forces have been repeatedly attacked by roadside bombs in recent months.