Police officers among 12 held in Basra raids

BRITISH soldiers have arrested 12 men, including police officers, in a series of raids in the southern Iraqi city of Basra.

Most of the men were supporters of the radical Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr.

The raids come after Britain accused Iran of supplying the bombs which have killed eight British soldiers in Iraq this year. Those arrested were all suspected of involvement in the attacks. Some were understood to be officers from the police station raided by British soldiers last month after two members of the SAS were arrested by Iraqi police.

Brigadier John Lorimer, speaking for British forces in Basra, said: "In the past two months, eight multi-national force soldiers and six coalition members have been killed by terrorists in Basra province.

"This terrorism must be stopped and this operation was designed to do that. Some of the individuals we have arrested are linked to militia groups, but we have acted against them solely because they are involved in terrorism, not because they are members of any particular political group or organisation."

British and US forces have been repeatedly attacked in recent months by roadside bombs packed with "shaped charges", which are deadlier than conventional roadside bombs.

On Thursday, Tony Blair appeared with Jalal Talabani, the Iraqi president, and accused Iran of being involved in the supply of the devices.

The arrested men are being held by British troops in Basra.