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| 2003/08/09 |
Riot in Basra over petrol shortage
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06:17:22 È.Ù
Basra, Iraq, Aug 9 - British troops in riot gear deployed in Basra on Saturday to quell spreading disturbances sparked by shortages of petrol and power in Iraq's second city, a British military spokesman said.
Witnesses said angry Iraqis threw stones, attacked cars registered in nearby Kuwait and burned tyres. Several streets and main roads leading into the city were cut as black smoke rose from the fires.
British forces fired into the air to keep back a crowd at one petrol station, they said.
The army spokesman said violence broke out outside at least four petrol stations but he could not confirm that soldiers opened fire.
Shi'ite Muslim clerics were at the main flashpoint, a petrol station at Saad square, trying in vain to convince a crowd of hundreds to stop hurling stones at the troops, witnesses said.
The spokesman said British officers were in contact with local authorities to contain the situation.
Hundreds of people also marched to the headquarters of the British forces -- once a palace for the deposed Saddam Hussein -- where they demanded the restoration of power and petrol supplies, witnesses said.
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