Last week, it was revealed that the British army had implemented rules of engagement in Iraq, as well as Afghanistan, that at times allowed soldiers to shoot unarmed civilians who were suspected of spying on them. The report, based on the testimonies of former soldiers, has cast further shadows on the legacy of the British forces’ conduct during the occupation of Basra, which lasted from 2003 to 2007 and saw numerous allegations of abuse against the province’s residents.
