UK troops enter Basra

British troops made a breakthrough in Basra entering the heart of the city following more than two weeks on its outskirts.

Soldiers from the 7th Armoured Brigade - the Desert Rats - encountered "isolated pockets" of resistance on their way into Iraq's second city.

The British tanks pushed their way through an industrial area in the outskirts from the south west.

UK military spokesman Group Captain Al Lockwood, in Qatar, said it appeared Basra's Baath Party leadership had either been eliminated or fled.

He said the city's civilians appeared to have welcomed the troops.

Military commanders decided to push into the city centre - beyond their original intention to establish checkpoints on its suburbs - after encountering minimal resistance by Iraqi forces.

Capt Lockwood said: "At the start of the operation today, 7th Armoured Brigade on three different axes moved in towards the centre.

"Our initial objective was to control the outskirts of Basra, set up vehicle and civilian checkpoints and stabilise that area.

"We met some light resistance and I understand now we are continuing the approach in towards the centre of Basra.

"We had resistance initially on the way in, but that appears to have disappeared."

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