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British forces in Iraq condemn latest allegations of abuse
(AP)
Updated: 2006-02-12 14:23 British forces based in Iraq
backed the investigation into alleged abuse carried out by some of its troops in
southern Iraq two years ago, a military spokesman said Sunday.
The British military police probe was launched after the tabloid News of the
World newspaper claimed to have received video footage allegedly showing British
troops using their fists and batons to beat a group of young Iraqis.
"We condemn all acts of abuse and brutality," said Flight Lt. Chris Thomas, a
British military spokesman in the southern city of Basra, where most of the more
than 8,000 British troops in Iraq are based.
"We hope that the good relations that the Multi-national Forces have worked
very hard to develop won't be adversely affected by this material."
Thomas said the allegations relate "to only a tiny number of the 80,000
personnel that have served in Iraq."
The Sunday newspaper says the video was filmed in 2004 by a corporal who
urged the soldiers on during the alleged attack caught on tape, which it claimed
was passed on by a whistleblower, who they have refused to identify.
It was unclear how news of the video will impact upon relations between
British troops in southern Iraq and locals. Thomas declined to provide details
on which units were based in Basra two years ago.
In recent times, ties have been strained with some Iraqi figures complaining
about British detentions of local policemen linked to numerous kidnappings and
killings, as well as British security control over Basra International
Airport.
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