Scots troops battle Iraqi militia

Scots troops battle Iraqi militia

Basra has been surrounded by troops

Scottish troops have been involved in a battle with local militia on the outskirts of Basra, in southern Iraq.

The conflict came when Iraqi paramilitary forces opened fire on civilians attempting to leave the city and were engaged by the 1st Battalion of the Black Watch.

British military sources said that more than 1,000 civilians attempting to flee the city were attacked by Iraqi gunmen, who fired mortars and opened up with machine guns.

Forces spokesman Group Captain Al Lockwood said the local population had been coming under pressure from militia forces to attack coalition positions.

They are using pick-up trucks with weapons bolted to the back of them as mobile firing platforms

Lt Col Michael Riddell-Webster
Battle group commander

"This may very well be an attempt by people to flee this persecution that's going on in Basra itself," said Mr Lockwood.

The Herald's reporter Iain Bruce was with the Black Watch as events unfolded.

Mr Bruce said Black Watch soldiers attempted to guide women and children to safety as they scattered from the approaches to a bridge across a canal on the western outskirts of Basra.

He said troops had moved forward to take up positions on the Iraqi side of the canal.

Armoured vehicles

One woman was reportedly badly injured by shrapnel and carried to a British vehicle.

Black Watch battalion forces in Warrior armoured fighting vehicles are believed to have attempted to place themselves between the militia and the civilians being fired upon.

Lieutenant Colonel Michael Riddell-Webster, the Black Watch battle group commander, told Mr Bruce that Ba'ath Party militia had been shooting at their own people to prevent them escaping into the British sector in search of food and water.

THE BATTLE FOR BASRA

Click here for the military position

Enlarge image

See also: Why Basra matters

"They have also been mortaring us quite accurately," said Mr Riddell-Webster.

"They are using pick-up trucks with weapons bolted to the back of them as mobile firing platforms.

"That makes them more difficult to spot and hit."

The brigade then called in air support from two British Lynx helicopter gunships to target the pick-up trucks.

A forward air controller reported "two good hits".

The city is encircled by British troops from the 7th Armoured Brigade Desert Rats, which includes the Black Watch.

In recent days there have been reports of gunfire in the city and claims that the Iraqi irregulars have been trying to coerce regular army soldiers to fight by threatening their families.