Thought I'd post this before hitting the sack...........BBc news report.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/2921091.stm
UK troops storm Basra
Marines of 40 Commando advance into the city
British troops have bombarded the headquarters of Iraq's Baath party as the massive coalition assault moves into the centre of Basra.
The thrust into the southern Iraq city on Sunday will deliver the "liberation of Basra", British forces say.
Television reports put troops from the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards and the Black Watch at the heart of Iraq's second city.
In the south west of the city, Royal Marine Commandos spearheaded a second wave of attacks on Sunday afternoon.
The elite forces began their arm of the pincer movement with heavy shelling at about 1530 local time (1330 BST).
British Challenger 2 caught up in regular Basra traffic
"This is the liberation of Basra we've been planning for," British forces spokesman Group Captain Al Lockwood told BBC News Online.
The first major assault began at dawn.
The 7th Armoured Brigade, the Desert Rats, stormed the city with several thousand troops and hundreds of tanks in a bid to take control.
Three units, the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, Royal Fusiliers and the Black Watch, advanced into the city, meeting only "isolated pockets" of resistance, correspondents say. The airport has been secured.
The dramatic push follows days of caution while the mood of Iraq's second biggest city and its defences were assessed.
It remains unclear how many Iraqi militia remain in Basra.
British troops say they are being welcomed by civilians waving, cheering and sounding the horns of their cars.
But Iraqis wearing civilian clothes have also thrown a bomb into a building where marines were taking cover.
STORMING OF BASRA
Map: Military operations
The assault on Basra
'Little sign of opposition'
Captain Roger McMillan of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards told BBC News no casualties had been suffered and added this was a vindication of the British policy of "advancing slowly and softly as opposed to hitting the door from day one".
The situation was becoming "increasingly benign", he added.
"We have pushed on the door of Basra and it opened.
"We are going to be staying."
Heavy fighting erupted as the sun rose at 0200 GMT.
British tanks and American Cobra helicopter gunships repeatedly pounded a factory complex as Iraqi militiamen responded with machinegun and sniper fire.
A para inspects the quarters of an Iraqi army mortar team
While the fighting raged, looters descended on the building to steal whatever they could lay their hands on.
Then, just after dawn, RAF Chinook helicopters flew in reinforcements of Royal Marines.
Group Capt Lockwood said the resistance encountered had been "generally disorganised, with no real command and control".
And it appeared Basra's Baath party leadership had been eliminated or fled, he added.
HUMAN COST OF WAR
US: 71 dead (including 16 in non-combat accidents, 4 to 'friendly fire', 2 under investigation), 7 missing
UK: 27 dead (including 16 in non-combat accidents, 5 to 'friendly fire')
Iraq: At least 1200 civilian deaths, military deaths unknown
*Figures from each government
A suspected suicide bomber handed himself over to British troops in the suburbs the city.
The man, who was in his late 40s or early 50s, walked up to gates of a Royal Marines' base carrying five hand grenades.
He claimed to have been behind at least two attacks on the base in recent days but had had enough, an officer said.
One of several people leaving Basra told BBC News there had been very little resistance to the British advance.
"A lot of fighters have run away.
"There was a little bit of shell fire - but now it is quiet."
The troops have been ordered not to destroy or desecrate Iraqi flags or war memorials.
Only symbols of the Iraqi regime are deemed justifiable targets.
A would-be suicide bomber hands himself in to Royal Marines
On Sunday US Central Command spokesman Jim Wilkinson said the bodies of bodyguards had been found after British forces attacked a Baath party building in which Ali Hassan al-Majid,was believed to be hiding.
The Iraqi commander, known as "Chemical Ali", is in charge of the south of the country
The BBC's Caroline Wyatt, with the British troops, also said sources had suggested there was "good reason" to think he may have been killed, "and that would be very, very significant".
Thousands of people reportedly cheered when the building was destroyed
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