BASRA, Iraq - Shia militiamen attacked Danish troops in the southern Iraqi city of Basra on Monday, killing one of the soldiers and leaving an armoured personnel carrier ablaze.
A Danish military spokesman in Copenhagen confirmed that one soldier waskilled and five wounded when their vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb. Local Iraqis gathered round the blazing vehicle to cheer and dance, one of them waving a soot-blackened military helmet in the air. Residents said the convoy had been hit by a bomb and automatic fire. Local residents told AFP that the attackers were members of radical cleric Moqtada al-SadrÂ’s Mahdi Army militia.
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The clash erupted at about 1:00 pm (0900 GMT). British forces based in Basra rushed to support their Danish allies. There were no British casualties and the situation was brought under control within three hours, said Major David Gell.
The attack comes one day before DenmarkÂ’s parliament is to debate the withdrawal of most of the Danish contingent in Iraq, which is primarily based around Basra under British command. In total, seven Danish soldiers have been killed in Iraq since Copenhagen sent troops to the country in August 2003 following the US-led invasion.
Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen announced in February that the Scandinavian country would withdraw the 430 troops it has operating under British command in northern Basra in August this year. They are to be replaced by a unit of four helicopters and 50 men, who will work alongside the British until December. |