Scots advance into Basra

Scots advance into Basra

Royal Scots Dragoon Guards tanks advanced into Basra

Scotland's cavalry has made further progress inside Iraq's second city, Basra.

Tanks from the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards destroyed a command and control centre almost seven kilometres into the city.

A number of defensive bunkers were also destroyed as was a Russian built T55 tank which seconds earlier had opened fire on the advancing British.

It is believed up to 20 Iraqi Fedayeen militia - distinctive in their black boiler suits - were killed in the morning raid on Saturday.

Firmly established

But the resistance proved that any talk of the pro-government forces surrendering in Basra remain extremely premature.

Scotland's troops are now firmly established in an area in the South West of the city on the banks of Shatt Al Basra canal.

The raid was the second of the day by Scots Dragoon Guards B Squadron under the command of Major Chris Brannigan.

They were joined going forward by warrior fighting vehicles of the Irish Guards - the infantry arm of the Dragoon Guards battle group.

Major Brannigan said it was another highly successful day's work, but warned that more hard work lies ahead in the battle for Basra.

Scots troops met resistance from Iraqi militia

He said: "We destroyed a command and control centre on the left hand side of the main road as we went forward. It was a base we had identified during the morning's raid.

"We also accounted for a number of Fedayeen who were trying to engage us with rocket propelled grenades.

"And a T55 tank which had engaged one of our vehicles was also taken out.

"There is no doubt the compound we destroyed is very much where the bad guys live."

He added: "The opposition we are facing seems to be continuing and I think it's going to remain this way for the time being.

Bit by bit

"What happens now is very enemy dependent but there is no doubt that the Fedayeen, who can be clearly identified in their black outfits, are posing the main problem.

"The control centre had the Iraqi military insignia on it but it seems it was populated not just by regular Iraqi army."

A decision must now be taken in the coming days whether to consolidate the current position in the South West of the city or to launch a decisive strike to try to take the centre itself.

With each passing day the Desert Rats seem to be eating their way through Basra bit by bit.

However, whether the Iraqi regime surrenders or not the British fear that the fanatics of the Fedayeen will fight on to the very last until they have run out of volunteers.

This report is from a pooled despatch by Simon Houston of the Daily Record.