Basra about to be done

According to this...

http://abcnews.go.com/wire/World/reuters20030405_18.html

Saddam's loyalists in Basra are trying to surrender, but get this... they want to surrender in such a way that British troops defend them.

Because they know that once they have no weapons, the townspeople may realize that the moment of revenge is at hand.

It is a reasonable request. And probably not one particularly unusual in the history of war.

Looks like they were right to be concerned. Here comes the popular uprising:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,5944-637473,00.html

As the Iraqi defenders retaliated with rocket-propelled grenades, a succession of rounds were fired by the Challengers into the complex, setting it on fire and killing many paramilitaries. Some tried in vain to flee as civilians from the nearby Shia Flats slum poured on to the streets in support of the British attack. Some shouted and cheered, greeting the British soldiers with waves, thumbs up and smiles.

Others wrought vengeance upon their oppressors, surrounding and attacking the fleeing Fedayin. A crowd descended upon one paramilitary, striking furiously at him and departed, leaving his lifeless body on the street. Gangs of looters appeared, seizing seemingly anything that was moveable from what remained of the Baath party buildings.

The Shi'ites are mighty pissed. They're braving RPGs to stomp on Saddam's people... payback's a bitch!