British Rescue Mission

A British soldier on fire climbs from tank in Basra. Iraqis Protest British Rescue Mission By THOMAS WAGNER The Associated Press Wednesday, September 21, 2005; 5:14 PM BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Hundreds of Iraqi civilians and policemen, some waving pistols and AK-47s, rallied Wednesday in the southern city of Basra to denounce "British aggression" in the rescue of two British soldiers. The Basra governor threatened to end all cooperation with British forces unless Prime Minister Tony Blair's government apologizes for the deadly clash with Iraqi police. Britain defended the raid. Iraqis gather around the body of an Iraqi policeman who was kidnapped and later found dead in Ramadi, Iraq, Wednesday Sept. 21, 2005. Four soldiers attached to the Marines died Monday in two roadside bombings near the insurgent stronghold of Ramadi, Iraq. In London, British Defense Secretary John Reid and Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari tried to minimize the effect of the fighting, saying it would not undermine the relationship between the two nations or their determination to lead Iraq to peace and democracy. Read More: Washington Post