British Army Raids Iraqi Jail: Why?

In a confusing turn of events, British Army tanks and armored personnel carriers appear to have attacked an Iraqi jail and freed two British prisoners. One hundred fifty Iraqi prisoners also made good their escape.

This situation is so confusing that it defies reality; yet photos are on the web of a British APC burning and a British soldier scrambling away from the flames while a soldier or policeman of unknown nationality with a riot shield watches.

Conflicting accounts of the scene from official sources are making it difficult to sort this out.

One thing appears certain: if the British Army attacked a Iraqi police jail, it will undermine the Iraqi police and justice system that the British Army itself has helped to rebuild. It just doesn't make sense.

Here's the story as reported by CNN, the New York Times and Fox News.