TV and radio blacked out in Basra

TV and radio blacked out in Basra

By Kylie Morris BBC correspondent in southern Iraq

British forces have taken Iraqi state radio and television off the air in the second city of Basra.

British forces tighten their grip outside Basra

The move effectively isolates Basra from any communications with the capital Baghdad.

Transmitters were destroyed by air raids overnight.

The coalition has taken over a number of radio frequencies and are broadcasting their own messages to the people.

There was continued fighting overnight in the al-Zubayr community, just to the west of Basra, where the British now claim to have established a holding position.

Previously troops had gone into and left al-Zubayr but now they are a continuing presence, according to British military sources.

Making contact

The town of Safwan, where the first humanitarian aid was distributed on Wednesday, is not yet regarded as secure.

The presence of so-called irregular fighters or Ba'athist loyalists has prompted a mix of what the British describe as aggressive and softer patrols.

British soldiers have been patrolling some areas on foot, keen to make contact with the people and avoid looking like conquistadores, according to one officer.

They are working together with interpreters to improve communications between the forces and the communities where they are patrolling.

The military focus now in Basra province has shifted to removing the influence of the Ba'ath Party.

To that end three regional offices of the party have been destroyed in the past two days.

At the same time there is a vigorous hearts and minds campaign under way using humanitarian assistance to win the confidence of ordinary Iraqis.