Basra looters prolong chaos

Basra looters prolong chaos

UK troops are patrolling the streets of Basra

Looting is continuing in the southern Iraqi city of Basra, despite efforts to re-establish law and order.

UK troops, who took control of the city from Iraqi forces, are also concerned people could be injured as residents take measures to defend their property from looters.

The people of Basra are reported to be slowly trying to get back to normality by opening schools and markets despite continued problems with electrical and water supplies.

Earlier, the commander of British forces in the Gulf, Air Marshal Brian Burridge, rejected suggestions coalition bombing seriously damaged infrastructure in the city Basra.

He said electricity and water supplies were "the same" as before the war and the situation was improving "inch by inch, day by day".

His comments were echoed by the UK's armed forces spokesman, who said services in Basra were being restored.

Group Captain Al Lockwood told BBC News: "The people are coming back to work, supporting the coalition actions in controlling law and order, bringing back schools and markets."

He added: "It's a combined operation of the coalition and the Iraqi people building their future together."

Vicious revenge

Although UK troops are in the process of trying to set up a police force in Basra, soldiers are still patrolling the streets.

They say crime levels are dropping but looters are still active and local people are prepared to mete out their own justice.

Basra Recovery

It is very much something we have to do in partnership both with the Iraqis and the humanitarian aid agencies

Air Marshal Brian Burridge

Elders gather for Basra council

Restoring order to Basra

Major Paul Nanson, of the 1st Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, said caches of petrol bombs and guns have been found in homes to use against thieves.

In the most extreme example of an angry backlash, one looter had his hands cut off by a group of Iraqis who caught him stealing from a house.

British soldiers could only take him to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Major Nanson said: "Our biggest concern, which seems to be coming to fruition, is that if people think we can't provide protection then they will provide their own to use against the looters."

An Iraqi working as a translator for the Army, who gave his name only as Bashar, said: "The people who move around in the night now are not militia, they are thieves.

Festival fear

"But everyone protects his own family, and we have more guns. Every house has a gun."

The thefts, from schools, hospitals and even vital water tanks, have created a difficult situation for the Army, which insists it is not a police force and cannot punish criminals.

Looters and thieves are generally detained for a few days and then released, with their details stored to give to local police.

Soldiers have also been warned that tribal and religious rivalries between Iraqi and Iranian Shia Muslims could peak in the next few days because of the al-Jarnah religious festival.

It is the first time the festival - which begins on Friday - has been held for 20 years because it was banned under Saddam Hussein's regime, which was predominantly Sunni.

Up to 30,000 people are expected to attend the festival, which is being held 40 miles north of Basra until Tuesday.