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Soldiers

British Troops Storm Iraqi Torture Jail, Free 100 Captives

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

British troops stormed a notorious Iraqi torture jail in Basra yesterday, fearing a rogue police unit linked to local death squads was about to execute prisoners held there. The dawn raid, which involved helicopter gunships, a tank, and armored vehicles, resulted in the deaths of at least seven Iraqi gunmen and the demolition of the jail with high explosives. The operation was plotted since July, with military sources citing intelligence indicating that the serious crimes unit was planning to execute its prisoners. The freed captives, many of whom had been tortured, were taken into protective custody.

Key Takeaways:

  • The British troops raided the Jameat police station and jail in Basra, fearing the rogue police unit was about to execute prisoners.
  • The operation involved helicopter gunships, a tank, and armored vehicles, and resulted in the deaths of at least seven Iraqi gunmen.
  • The serious crimes unit, linked to local death squads, was identified as "too far gone" and was targeted in the operation.
  • About 100 captives, many of whom had been tortured, were freed from the jail.
  • The operation was plotted since July, with military sources citing intelligence indicating that the serious crimes unit was planning to execute its prisoners.
  • Military spokesman Major Charlie Burbridge stated that the assault came as a result of "clear direction" from senior Iraqi figures.
  • The Iraqi president, Jalal Talabani, stated in Baghdad yesterday that US troops had detained two Iranians who were in Iraq at his invitation.
  • The detentions follow US accusations that Iran is supplying aid and training to Shia militias in Iraq.
  • Ethiopian jets bombed two airports in Somalia yesterday, backing Somalia's government in its fight with hard-line Muslims linked to al-Qaeda.

Statistics:

  • At least seven Iraqi gunmen were killed in the dawn raid.
  • About 100 captives, many of whom had been tortured, were freed from the jail.
  • The raid involved helicopter gunships, a tank, and armored vehicles.
  • The operation was plotted since July.
  • The Iraqi police force has a serious crimes unit that has been linked to local death squads.
  • Two British soldiers were captured by the serious crimes unit in September last year, believed to be members of the SAS on a reconnaissance mission.

Sources:

  • A Thousand British Troops Storm Iraqi Torture Jail (Various news outlets)
  • Military spokesman Major Charlie Burbridge
  • Iraqi president Jalal Talabani
  • US troops
  • Various news outlets reporting on the Ethiopian jet bombing of Somali airports

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