CAMP AS SAYLIYAH, Qatar — The Shiite majority in Basra have started a popular uprising against Saddam Hussein's forces, Sky News reported Tuesday.
Iraqi forces are reportedly firing at the Shiite protesters, who have the support of British troops in the area. British forces have captured the top Baath party official, a U.K. spokesman said.
Earlier Tuesday, Air Force Major Gen. Victor E. Renuart Jr. said the situation in Basra was fragile and that an uprising was possible.
At a press briefing at U.S. Central Command in Qatar, Reunart Jr. said a vast majority of the Shiites have been oppressed by Saddam's regime for years.
"I think that they feel a threat to their security by these Baath party, special Republican Guard troops, that they're terrorizining their neighborhood," he said.
British and U.S. forces wanted the people of Basra to attack soldiers loyal to Saddam, Reuters reported.
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