British to Pay for Basra Damage

The British government will pay unspecified compensation for injuries and damage caused when its army stormed a police station in the southern Iraqi city of Basra on Sept. 19 to free two soldiers, authorities said Tuesday.

British armored vehicles broke down the walls of the jail in Basra after two British soldiers were arrested by Iraqi police.

The soldiers were subsequently found in the custody of Shiite militias, and the incident led to an eruption of violence.

At least five Iraqi civilians were reportedly killed.

In a joint statement, the British consulate general and the provincial council of Basra expressed regret over the incident. The statement said Britain was “prepared to pay valid claims for compensation.”