Iraqi Troops Step Up Fighting in Basra

Staff / Truthdig Mar 25, 2008 Iraqi forces on Tuesday launched an offensive targeting Shiite militia groups in the southern city of Basra, where at least 30 deaths are reported to have occurred in the operation, as well as in other regions of the country. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Dozens Dead After Three Bombings in Iraq

Staff / Truthdig Dec 13, 2007 Three car bombs ripped through the southern Iraqi province of Amarah on Wednesday, killing at least 46 and wounding 149, according to The Washington Post, which reported Thursday that the death toll was likely to climb. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

A British Reality Check on Progress In Iraq

Staff / Truthdig Dec 3, 2007 BBC: "The UK will hand over control of Basra to Iraqi forces despite failing in its goal to establish security there, an MPs' [members of Parliament] report says. The city is dominated by militias and the police contains 'murderous' and 'corrupt' elements, the report added." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Violence in Basra Drops 90% After British Withdrawal

Staff / Truthdig Nov 18, 2007 Perhaps Basra can be seen as a test case for the rest of Iraq with regard to withdrawal and its effects: According to Maj. Gen. Graham Binns, the commander of British forces in Basra, there has been a "remarkable and dramatic drop in attacks" since the majority of his troops withdrew from the city. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

The British Are Leaving!

Mike Luckovich / Truthdig Oct 12, 2007 Dig deeper

Why Is This Man Smiling?

Robert Scheer / Truthdig Sep 5, 2007 It's enough to make one a libertarian, Robert Scheer argues, as the federal budget is hijacked by a bloated military-industrial complex wallowing in post-9/11 greed. As the president smiles, the failures of this American experiment in imperialism become all the more costly and apparent. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Brits Bid Basra Cheerio

Staff / Truthdig Sep 4, 2007 British forces have relocated to the Basra airport, leaving Iraq's No. 2 city in the hands of Iraqis for the first time since the invasion. For many locals, it was a welcome withdrawal: "We are pleased that the Iraqi army are now taking over the situation. We as an Iraqi people reject occupation. We reject colonialism. We want our freedom," one resident told the AP. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

British Troops Begin Basra Pullout

Staff / Truthdig Aug 27, 2007 About 60 Britons withdrew from an Iraqi police base in Basra this weekend, marking the first step in British troops' exodus from the city. The BBC reports that the troops' overnight departure caused some confusion as to who assumed control of the base, and British and Iraqi officials are denying reports that militant members of Muqtada al-Sadr's Mahdi Army took over the outpost following the British pullout. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

British Losses Rise as Troops Prepare for Basra Exit

Staff / Truthdig Aug 11, 2007 British forces face a major dip in morale as they prepare to leave Basra -- an exit viewed by some as a retreat from a situation that's become more chaotic and dangerous than it was before. The Independent's Patrick Cockburn apparently agrees, arguing that the British troops "wholly failed" in their "least successful military campaign since Suez in 1956." Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

British Forces: We Did Not Unleash Man-Eating Badgers

Staff / Truthdig Jul 13, 2007 In an account typical of some circulating in Basra, a resident told the BBC that she was attacked by a dog-sized creature with the head of a monkey. Many locals believe that such creatures (recently identified as honey badgers) have been released by the British to sow panic. The rumors have now been officially denied by UK military spokesman Maj. Mike Shearer: "We can categorically state that we have not released man-eating badgers into the area." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

The Lose-Lose War

Staff / Truthdig Jun 14, 2007 Dr. Dahlia Wasfi joins Robert Scheer and James Harris to discuss the past, present and future of the Iraq war. Wasfi (pictured), who has twice visited Iraq during the occupation, says it is only a matter of time and casualties before the U.S. leaves: "It's really simple: You bring the troops home, they stop dying there." Update: Full transcript now available. Dig deeper ( 22 Min. Read )

Evidence of Torture at Iraqi Intelligence Agency

Staff / Truthdig Mar 5, 2007 British and Iraqi forces raided a National Iraqi Intelligence Agency detention center on Sunday and discovered 30 prisoners, including two children, "many of whom showed signs of torture and abuse." Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki condemned the raid as an "illegal and irresponsible act" and has ordered an investigation. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )