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British troops, al-Sadr gunmen clash in Basra
Basra, May 08: Gunmen loyal to a radical Shiite cleric on Saturday attacked British troops across Basra and tried to storm the governor`s building, a day after the cleric`s representative in the city offered money for the capture or killing of coalition soldiers.
Basra, May 08: Gunmen loyal to a radical Shiite cleric on Saturday attacked British troops across Basra and tried to storm the governor`s building, a day after the cleric`s representative in the city offered money for the capture or killing of coalition soldiers.
The black-garbed militiamen of cleric Muqtada al-Sadr moved in large numbers through the streets of the southern Iraqi city, opening fire on British patrols and sparking skirmishes in several neighbourhoods.
A rocket-propelled grenade was fired at the US-led coaltition headquarters, witnesses said.
A group of gunmen assaulted the governor`s building, trading fire with guards. British troops arrived to reinforce the guards and took control of the building, witnesses said.
At least one person was wounded, but the full extent of casualties was not immediately known.
Later, British troops in some 50 vehicles surrounded al-Sadr`s headquarters in Basra, with gunmen inside, though there was no immediate outbreak of fighting.
The fighting came a day after al-Sadr`s top aide in Basra, Sheik Abdul-Sattar al-Bahadli, told worshippers during Friday prayers that USD 350 would be given to anyone who captures a British soldier and offered USD 150 for killing one.
He also said, "Any Iraqi who takes a female soldier can keep her as a slave or gift to himself."
Bureau Report
The black-garbed militiamen of cleric Muqtada al-Sadr moved in large numbers through the streets of the southern Iraqi city, opening fire on British patrols and sparking skirmishes in several neighbourhoods.
A rocket-propelled grenade was fired at the US-led coaltition headquarters, witnesses said.
A group of gunmen assaulted the governor`s building, trading fire with guards. British troops arrived to reinforce the guards and took control of the building, witnesses said.
At least one person was wounded, but the full extent of casualties was not immediately known.
Later, British troops in some 50 vehicles surrounded al-Sadr`s headquarters in Basra, with gunmen inside, though there was no immediate outbreak of fighting.
The fighting came a day after al-Sadr`s top aide in Basra, Sheik Abdul-Sattar al-Bahadli, told worshippers during Friday prayers that USD 350 would be given to anyone who captures a British soldier and offered USD 150 for killing one.
He also said, "Any Iraqi who takes a female soldier can keep her as a slave or gift to himself."
Bureau Report