British forces tighten grip on second city Basra

British forces were in control of most of Iraq's second city, Basra, todaybut continued to face some resistance.

British forces were in control of most of Iraq's second city, Basra, todaybut continued to face some resistance.

Iraqi Children
Iraqi children greet Royal Marines from 42 Commando as they drive into the heart of the city of Basra in southern Iraq.

British Central Command spokesman Captain Al Lockwood alsoconfirmed three British soldiers were killed in fighting for thecity.

"We now control the majority of the city. There are pocketsof resistance in the old area," he said.

Yesterday Major General Peter Wall, deputy commander ofBritish forces in the Iraq war, said British troops would haveto go in on foot in parts of the old city where streets are toonarrow to bring in tanks.

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"We have to do that part of the operation on foot," Wallsaid. "It's going to be under way soon.

After a two-week siege, British forces blasted their wayinto Basra yesterday in a bid to stamp out resistance fromparamilitary forces loyal to President Saddam Hussein.

Wall said conventional military forces had departed Basra,but warned against "excessive optimism"."A relatively small number of determined people in a largecity can still give us difficulty over the days and weeks aheadif they felt that way inclined," he said.