British soldiers from 19 Light Brigade led a series of successful search and arrest operations around Basra, Iraq, today, 8 May 2007, aimed at deterring rogue militias known to be operating there.

Soldiers from B Company, 1st Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment (part of 19 Light Brigade) search a house in the Safwan area of southern Iraq
[Picture: Cpl Wayne Beeching (RAF)]

The raids, carried out by Multi National Force (MNF) soldiers early this morning, resulted in the capture of four leading criminals linked with roadside bomb attacks on British Forces.

The operations were conducted simultaneously and focused on the arrest and detention of influential figures in the southern rural area of Safwan, the northern rural area of Al Hartha and the Basra City area.

One of the most notable successes was the capture of a criminal gang leader who has been involved in the extortion, kidnap and intimidation of the local Iraqi population. His capture was secured by the Yorkshire Battle Group, comprising of soldiers from the 1st Battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment and 38 Battery, 40 Regiment Royal Artillery. This particular gang leader has also been linked with IED (Improvised Explosive Device) attacks on MNF vehicles transiting along the main supply route throughout the south-eastern area of Basra from Kuwait.

19 Light Brigade spokesman, Captain Ollie Pile, explained how significant these raids are:

"It is hoped that the outcome of these operations will be welcomed by the local population. Relations between Multi National Forces and the residents of Safwan remain positive. There has been a lot of reconstruction work in the area and MNF's continuing efforts to build upon the good community relations have worked.

"Today’s operations are just part of an ongoing campaign that we have been conducting in conjunction with the Iraqi Security Forces. The aim is to capture key criminals and deny the influence of those malign forces intent on creating and benefiting from criminal disorder.

"Our Brigade has seen substantial progress during our tenure, not only of the improved security situation for the Iraqi people, but also the growing effectiveness and responsibility of the Iraqi Security Forces in providing for their own security."

These recent operations were also significant as they highlighted the sustained teamwork of all of 19 Light Brigade’s Units including the Danish Contingency who, along with A Company, The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland, carried out the operations in the Al Hartha region.

The operations resulted in the arrest of another significant criminal figure, who had been identified as targeting British and other coalition forces with roadside bombs and rocket attacks on the Contingency Operating Base at Basra Airport.

The final part of the overall operation was conducted in the Basra City area by troops from 2nd Battalion, Duke of Lancaster's Regiment. During their operations, they came under enemy fire and reported the shooting of three rogue militia without sustaining any injuries themselves. They also found ammunition whilst searching one of the houses.

19 Light Brigade are based at Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire. They have been the ‘in theatre’ brigade for southern Iraq since November 2006. They are due to handover to 1 Mechanised Brigade by the end of May 2007.

This story originally appeared on the Ministry of Defence's website