Reports: British soldiers clash with Iraqi police

Troubling story in the Washington Post.

BASRA, Iraq, Sept. 19 -- Heavy clashes erupted Monday between Iraqi police and British soldiers based in Basra, Iraq's second-largest city, witnesses said.

The clashes are the latest in surging tensions in Basra, a Shiite-dominated city that had long been one of Iraq's calmest. Attacks have targeted British and Americans there.

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"There is public disorder going on," the official said. "We are aware that Iraqi authorities are holding U.K. service personnel, and we are liaising with Iraqi authorities on the matter," the official said.

British personnel held hostage?

This latest conflict brings to mind the death of Steven Vincent. Reports stated that police in Basra were involved and Vincent had admonished British forces for allowing a Shiite dominated, sectarian police force to form.

Two civilian dressed men have been shown in Basra police custody. The following is from the Guardian:

British troops exchanged gunfire with protesters as two tanks were reportedly set on fire. Four civilians are said to have been wounded in the clashes.

The fighting broke out after two British soldiers, allegedly dressed as Arabs, opened fire on a police patrol killing one officer and wounding another.