Brits launch cleanup operation in Iraq's second city

British troops were pouring into eastern Basra as part of Operation Sinbad to restore security and prosperity to Iraq's troubled second city and implement reconstruction projects.

Residents watched as soldiers in the formerly affluent neighborhood of Baradhiya cleaned up playgrounds and football pitches on Wednesday, fixed broken windows and painted schools, all under the watchful eye of British and Iraqi forces.

"We are attempting to increase the standard of living for the average Basrawi," said British military spokesman Major Charles Burbridge, adding the operation would stretch into early next year.

The cleanup will not only target the troubled port city's streets, but also its police force which has been infiltrated by Shiite militias.

"The important thing here, the aim of this operation, is to take Basra closer to transition to Iraqi provincial control," said Burbridge.

Two of Iraq's southern provinces, Muthanna and Dhi Qar, have moved to total Iraqi security control, but Basra remains plagued with instability caused by criminal groups and infighting militias.

Britain has 7,200 troops in southern Iraq, with 118 killed since the US-led 2003 invasion.

"We are happy about this good work being done by British forces and their help for Basra's schools and children," said Fatima Hussein, principal of Al-Uruba primary school. "If it hadn't been for British forces, Basra would be chaos."

Not all people, approved of the operation, however. Karim Hussein, a naval officer, said that the British had not fulfilled the promises they made after the invasion.

"They should embark on humanitarian schemes which we need, especially the projects for services and healthcare," he said.

According to the British, however, schools and playgrounds are only the first phase in a multi-stage operation that will also address water supplies, hospitals and street lighting.

Jamal Musa, an employee of the Port Authority, maintained that it was the fault of British forces that the city had poor security due to what he called overly aggressive security operations.

"They are to blame for weak security. They are attacking people rather than protecting them," he said.

Over the last few months, British forces have stepped up their activities to confront the Shiite militias which they say are the chief security threat to the city.

In May, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki visited Basra and declared a state of emergency to deal with the pervasive unrest, however the plan did little to stem the violence.

Operation Sinbad, according to Burbridge, follows up announcements a week earlier by Basra security officials about launching an all out effort to pacify the city and mirrors similar operations underway in Baghdad.

In addition to militias, the city suffers from criminal gangs involved in the extremely lucrative oil smuggling operations. The bulk of Iraq's massive oil reserves can be found around Basra.

Another key aspect of Operation Sinbad will be a comprehensive attempt to address corruption and militia affiliations among the city police.

"We've formed police transition teams that will go to police stations throughout Basra during the operation and monitor how well police are conducting their duties," said Burbridge.

An internal affairs department has also been established to help in the process of cleaning up the police force.

"We have to accept that elements of the police have been infiltrated by elements of these militias," added Burbridge. "We are encouraging the Iraqi police service to purge itself."

Unlike the security operations in Baghdad, however, the British are not planning on systematic, house-to-house, searches, preferring targeted operations against specific militia leaders.

In the immediate aftermath of the invasion, Basra was one of the more peaceful cities in the country, but in the last year rival gangs and militias have resulted in a spate of assassinations and bombings.