Tanks crash into Basra jail to free troops

British forces using tanks broke down the walls of the central jail in the southern city of Basra tonight and freed two Britons – allegedly undercover commandos – who had been arrested on charges of shooting two Iraqi policemen.

Witnesses said about 150 Iraqi prisoners fled the jail as well.

Violence flared earlier in the day as demonstrators hurled stones and Molotov cocktails at British tanks and at least four people were killed in the major outbreak of violence.

The fighting erupted after British armour encircled the jail where the two Britons were being held.

During the melee one soldier could be seen scrambling for his life from a burning tank and a rock-throwing mob.