British jets target Basra breakout

British jets were tonight attacking a major column of Iraqi troops heading south out of Basra.

Harriers and Tornados flying out of Kuwait were striking the armoured convoy of up to 120 vehicles.

The British planes have been involved in “heavy air activity” since around 6pm Irish time.

An RAF source said: “A significant number of British aircraft are involved.”

BBC Radio 4’s PM programme said the details were sketchy but that it appeared the vehicles were heading towards British troops on the Al Faw peninsula.

Before tonight’s breakout by the Iraqis military leaders had been watching for further signs of a popular uprising in Iraq’s 1.5 million population second city.

Yesterday it appeared the population were trying to overthrow Saddam’s regime in the city but faced mortar fire and horizontal artillery fire from loyalist forces.

Today British political leaders welcomed the signs of civil unrest but the military forces on the edge of the city said there would be no hasty decision about entering the city.

British Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon confirmed coalition troops were engaging groups of enemy forces as they tried to flee Iraq’s second city.

At Prime Minister’s Questions today Tony Blair said if any Iraqis wanted to rebel against the regime “we shall be ready to support them”.