On 17 September at 1740 (local) a two-vehicle British routine patrol was ambushed in Basrah City by small arms fire from the offices of the Matry Sad'r. The decision was then taken to launch an immediate surgical strike of the Offices of the Marty Sad'r building, from where the ambush had been initiated. The purpose of this strike was to eliminate the obvious threat posed by the attackers, to provide a safe and secure environment for the local population and to allow the Multi National Forces to continue with their programme of rebuilding Iraq. An operation to secure the building and arrest those responsible for the unprovoked attack. Specialist bomb-disposal experts were required to defuse a number of defensive booby-traps left behind by the terrorists. On searching the building the British troops discovered a huge haul of illegally held weapons and munitions, including 200 mortar rounds, approximately 50,000 heavy machine-gun bullets, 5 guided missiles, 50 rocket propelled grenades, land mines and a large number of AK 47 rifles. The building also contained old maps and reconnaissance photographs , highlighting Multi National Force positions. In addition to the maps and weapons found, a large amount of cocaine was also discovered in the offices.
Under increasing attacks of small arms fire, heavy machine guns, rocket propelled grenades and indirect mortar attacks from the surrounding buildings. The militia destroyed the local power sub-station, throwing much of the city into darkness, thus aiding their ability to attack from hidden positions. The attacks continued through the night and the British soldiers returned controlled fire. The fire-fights continued to the early hours of the following morning when they eventually came to a halt. During the entire sequence of events the British soldiers sustained just one casualty.
This represents a very successful operation for the Multi National Forces in South-Eastern Iraq
Image by LA(PHOT Paul A'Barrow...

On 17 September at 1740 (local) a two-vehicle British routine patrol was ambushed in Basrah City by small arms fire from the offices of the Matry Sad'r. The decision was then taken to launch an immediate surgical strike of the Offices of the Marty Sad'r building, from where the ambush had been initiated. The purpose of this strike was to eliminate the obvious threat posed by the attackers, to provide a safe and secure environment for the local population and to allow the Multi National Forces to continue with their programme of rebuilding Iraq. An operation to secure the building and arrest those responsible for the unprovoked attack. Specialist bomb-disposal experts were required to defuse a number of defensive booby-traps left behind by the terrorists. On searching the building the British troops discovered a huge haul of illegally held weapons and munitions, including 200 mortar rounds, approximately 50,000 heavy machine-gun bullets, 5 guided missiles, 50 rocket propelled grenades, land mines and a large number of AK 47 rifles. The building also contained old maps and reconnaissance photographs , highlighting Multi National Force positions. In addition to the maps and weapons found, a large amount of cocaine was also discovered in the offices.
Under increasing attacks of small arms fire, heavy machine guns, rocket propelled grenades and indirect mortar attacks from the surrounding buildings. The militia destroyed the local power sub-station, throwing much of the city into darkness, thus aiding their ability to attack from hidden positions. The attacks continued through the night and the British soldiers returned controlled fire. The fire-fights continued to the early hours of the following morning when they eventually came to a halt. During the entire sequence of events the British soldiers sustained just one casualty.
This represents a very successful operation for the Multi National Forces in South-Eastern Iraq
Image by LA(PHOT Paul A'Barrow...