Blair vows probe of alleged abuse in Iraq

VIDEO images of British soldiers allegedly beating Iraqi youths with batons and fists aired throughout the Middle East and Britain yesterday, outraging locals and prompting British Prime Minister Tony Blair to promise a full investigation.

The tape was obtained by the News of the World tabloid newspaper from a whistleblower it did not identify. The footage purportedly shows a street confrontation in which Iraqi youths throw objects at British soldiers and then flee down the street. The cameraman provides narration and urges the soldiers on.

The soldiers apparently chase the Iraqis, catch at least three and drag them through a gate into a fenced-in area, according to the footage. The civilians are then pulled to the ground and beaten by at least five alleged British soldiers with batons and fists. One of the civilians has his shirt ripped off.