Gunfight in an Iraqi town

Gunfight in an Iraqi town

Troops provided desperately needed supplies

A soldier distributing humanitarian aid in the southern Iraq town of al-Zubayr has described the scene as being like the OK Corral.

The sprawling town near Basra has seen resistance since British troops took over the sector at the weekend.

About 80% of the town is regarded by troops as "pacified" and aid missions have to be conducted in armoured ambulances escorted by Warrior vehicles.

Sgt John Hardy, a Scots Guardsman attached to the Black Watch battle group, said: "Every time we turn into a street it becomes the OK Corral.

"Luckily, the gunmen are not very good. One opened up on me from 30 yards and missed.

Desperate and determined

"He had the drop on me and I was convinced I was going to die. He emptied a full 30-round magazine in my direction. I could hear them cracking past. But I wasn't even scratched.

"The militiamen are wild. They're more enthusiastic than accurate. But people still get hit by stray rounds."

The population of al-Zubayr, a town of several hundred thousand, has been without mains water supplies since Saturday and they are desperate and determined.

"Jocks" from the Black Watch battle group have struggled to control the swelling crowds which grow by the minute as word spreads that humanitarian aid has finally arrived.

Watching the first handout of aid out of an abandoned Iraqi barracks in the west of the town, Lt Col Michael Riddell-Webster, the battle group commander said: "It's ironic. We are providing desperately needed help to people not 200 yards from where one of our men was killed in an ambush a few nights ago.

"Some of those receiving water may have had a hand in that ambush.

"Looking at the numbers who have turned up and the two container loads of food and water available, it would seem like we're pissing into the wind.

"But we've got to convince these people that we are here to help them. We are not their enemy."

He added: "Although I'd find it hard to condone what they've done, I can see their point of view. If England invaded Scotland, I'd probably be out there doing the same thing."

Pooled copy provided by Ian Bruce of The Herald.