Good news?

I thought the southern areas of Iraq (the British areas of responsibility) were mostly pacified? It looks as if the Shi'a were just waiting for an excuse. The Beeb:

British soldiers have clashed with Iraqis after a number of UK servicemen died in a helicopter crash in the southern city of Basra.

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BBC correspondents in Iraq say the events have opened a new chapter for British forces in the area - and it will be increasingly difficult for them to control Basra's streets.

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Did someone say 'Vietnam'?