British forces in southern Iraq have dealt a blow to rogue militias in Basra after they caught two roadside bomb teams planting explosive devices.A daring night operation to counter the militia teams was launched by the Force Reserve, 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment Battlegroup on Friday 13 April 2007. The militia were known to be laying Improvised Explosives Devices (IEDs) on routes used by British and coalition troops.
At 2240hrs local time, two roadside bomb teams were hit by British forces after they were seen very clearly placing IEDs and running out command wires. This took place on the outskirts of the Hyall Shuala District to the west of Basra City. It is assessed that at least eight militia were killed.
The strike was close to the location of two recent roadside bomb attacks on UK forces. Four British soldiers, along with a local civilian interpreter, were killed following a roadside bomb attack against a Warrior Armoured Vehicle patrol west of Basra City on Thursday 5 April 2007. Whilst it is not possible to directly link the militia killed with the recent attacks, these men were clearly intent upon launching exactly the same type of attack in the same area.
(Photo: Challenger II Tanks head out on a daring night operation to counter militia teams, known to be laying Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) on routes used by British and coalition troops in Southern Iraq [Picture: Cpl Andy Benson, RAF] )
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