British Forces call THYME on rogue Iraqi Police unit

The unit, some 400 strong, was known to have been heavily infiltrated by anti-coalition elements and was responsible for the detention of two British servicemen in September 2005.

After removing some of the high ranking members of the unit in the past week, British troops from 19 Light Brigade, supported by Iraqi Army soldiers began the action, named OPERATION THYME, at 0200hrs.

Royal Engineers breached the outer wall of the compound with their combat engineer tractor which was followed by Warrior fighting vehicles from the Staffordshire Regiment.

They were backed up by more dismounted infantry who stormed the three buildings on the site. Some 1000 British troops were involved altogether, including those manning an extensive cordon, set up top ensure a robust response if those criminals targeted attempted a counter strike.

Once the compound was secure, Royal Military Police entered the house to detain the errant police; they had all fled before the British arrived. What they did find was over 70 prisoners, many of whom are likely to have been falsely imprisoned in a building which was a symbol of oppression for many of the people of Basrah.

They also supervised the collection of hundreds of files and computer terminals which will be examined in detail back at the coalition’s main base at Basrah airport.

Royal Engineers from 38 Engineer Regiment laid bar mines and plastic explosive against the major supports of the building. After taking away the prisoners for processing and having removed all the necessary evidence, the Engineers detonated the charges.

The Jameat police station erupted in a tower of debris and dust, removing a powerful symbol of oppression and corruption from the Basrah skyline.