British troops finally declare Umm Qasr safe

THE Iraqi port of Umm Qasr was yesterday declared secure following sweeps by Royal Marine commandos, paving the way for the first deliveries of aid to Iraqi civilians.

Members of 42 Commando carried out searches of residential and industrial areas surrounding the port overnight, Major Ray Tonner said.

The Royal Marines were given the job of clearing the final pockets of resistance yesterday when other Allied forces who had been battling for control of the key port since last week, moved further north.

“They secured the port, not the town and industrial sites. 42 Commando took on that responsibility,” Major Tonner said.

The British soldiers carried out sweeps overnight after arriving in the area yesterday. Iraqi hardliners who had held out in areas surrounding the port finally appeared to have been routed, Major Tonner said.

Fleeing Iraqi officials appeared to have left the port infrastructure intact, Major Tonner said. He also underlined the importance of the port to the coalition’s humanitarian effort. The first aid shipment could arrive in 24 to 36 hours, the major said. Initially wary, locals were now approaching the British troops.

Arabic interpreters are being used to build bridges with the Iraqis and civilian liaison officers will move in shortly.

“Quite a few are worried about the Ba’ath party coming back,” he said.

The major rejected suggestions that the hardliners who have held out around the port were fanatical supporters of Saddam or members of his elite Republican Guard.

“I would probably say they were normal line soldiers. I don’t think they were anything special,” he said.

Poor communications may have played a part in their decision to make a stand, he said. They may have held out simply because they believed others were doing so.

Dated Russian mines have been discovered at rundown Umm Qasr but no explosives have yet been found at the large modern port nearby which will act as the main gateway for aid into Iraq.