British snipers, Ba'ath stoolies chip at Basra - War on Iraq - smh.com.au British snipers, Ba'ath stoolies chip at Basra
By Martin Bentham near Basra
April 4 2003
British snipers have begun operating inside Basra in a series of "harass and destroy" missions against Iraqi regular and paramilitaries defending the city.
Difficulties in locating Iraqi army and militia units are being overcome by "turning" Ba'ath party members against the regime and sending them to confirm hideouts.
At least four Iraqis have been shot dead by the snipers, who hide in disused buildings or in rubble on the fringes of Basra to mount their attacks.
Dozens more Iraqis are thought to have been killed by artillery fire and bombs directed by the snipers, who are also acting as forward observers for coalition forces.
Major Ben Farrell, the commanding officer of 2 Company of 1st Battalion Irish Guards, which has a nine-man team of snipers working inside Basra, said the use of snipers, who could strike without warning, was designed to shatter the morale of the fedayeen paramilitaries and other troops.