British troops take over al-Sadr offices

British troops took control of the offices of Muqtada al-Sadr in the southern Iraqi city of Basra today after clashing with militants loyal to the rebel cleric.

British forces stormed the offices and deployed around the building. Reinforcements backed by tanks moved to the area and a helicopter hovered overhead.

A British military spokesman said one British soldier was wounded in the clashes, but he was unable to confirm the building had been seized.

“There have been several incidents in central Basra city,” Squadron Leader Steve Dharamraj said.

The fighting between the troops and al-Mahdi Army militiamen was centred near al-Sadr’s offices in the al-Tuwaisa neighbourhood in the city centre.

Sporadic explosions and gunfire echoed through the area. Flames could be seen leaping out of the second floor of the two-story building which houses the offices. A fire also erupted in a nearby house.

There was no immediate word on militia or civilian casualties, but at least one fighter was covered in blood.

Earlier, al-Mahdi Army militiamen took up positions on main streets and intersections near al-Sadr’s office.