ABOUT 500 civilians and policemen, some waving pistols and AK-47s, rallied yesterday in the southern city of Basra and denounced “British aggression” following London’s decision to use force to free two of its soldiers being held by Iraqi police.

British forces using tanks broke down the walls of the central jail in the southern city of Basra tonight and freed two Britons – allegedly undercover commandos – who had been arrested on charges of shooting two Iraqi policemen.