British forces today made their deepest incursion yet into Basra in an operation described as “poking a toe” into the city.

Troops on the edge of the southern Iraqi city of Basra destroyed the ruling Ba’ath Party headquarters overnight in preparation to take over the city, it emerged today.

The population of Iraq’s second city was tonight attempting to throw off the shackles of Saddam Hussein’s regime, according to reports.

Iraqi forces have turned their fire on a popular uprising by civilians in Basra, it was reported tonight.