"Peaceful" Basra falling apart...

:cry: More dispatches from the disaster that is Iraq. :cry:

Basra Begins to Fall Apart
Submitted by davidswanson on Fri, 2006-05-26 21:19. Media
By Aaron Glantz and Alaa Hassan, Inter Press Service

BAGHDAD - Basra in the south of Iraq is beginning to splinter under increasing violence and sectarian divisions. Smuggling of oil on a large scale coupled with increasing violence and the lack of basic services like water and electricity has caused increasing tensions in the city, 570km south of Baghdad. More than 100 civilians have been killed in Basra so far this month.

A group of youths - one throwing stones, in foreground, and another giving the victory sign, at top - gather on a bridge above a burning British military vehicle after a roadside bomb attack which slightly wounded two British soldiers in Basra, Iraq Saturday, May 20, 2006. The soldiers were transported back to their base and required little medical attention, according to a British Army spokesman. (AP Photo/Nabil al-Jurani)

Residents are pointing the finger at the governor and the British military, which occupies the city.

Before the recent spate of killings, Basra had a reputation as one of the most peaceful cities in occupied Iraq. The British military -- whose 8,000 soldiers in Iraq control Basra -- were considered by many to be more humane than their American counterparts.

more at: http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/11183