Iraqi militia 'shot at 2,000 civilians'

Around 2,000 civilians were shot at by Iraqi paramilitary forces as they tried to flee the southern city of Basra, British army officers claimed today.

British troops returned fire after the civilians were attacked with mortars and machine guns as they were crossing a bridge on foot, it was alleged.

Captain Robert Sandford, with the 7th Armoured Brigade, said groups of Iraqi militia appeared to be using mortar plates on the back of small, mobile vehicles.

He said they landed around eight or nine mortars near the civilians.

Earlier, spokesman Colonel Chris Vernon admitted that Basra was far from being under Allied forces’ control.

At least one young woman was believed to be seriously wounded, while others collapsed, clutching bullet and shrapnel injuries, according to a pooled despatch from Nick Parker, of The Sun.

It was not clear whether any civilians or Iraqi paramilitaries were killed.

The fighting allegedly took place on the outskirts of the city but Allied troops did not go into the city centre “for worry of collateral damage”.

Troops at checkpoints to the south of the city said they had seen only a handful of refugees leaving, and they were searched for weapons and military paraphernalia.