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UK: Police among 12 held in Basra

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BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Basra police officers were among 12 people detained by coalition forces in a raid targeting terrorists in the southeastern city, according to the British military.

The raid came as British Prime Minister Tony Blair accused Iran of helping fighters in Iraq carry out deadlier bombings against coalition forces.

Two weeks ago, in the wake of a controversial operation by British forces to rescue two soldiers sparked riots in Basra, a senior Iraqi official later said insurgents had infiltrated the country's security forces.

The people -- accused of being involved in and planning attacks in the region -- were detained in the Hadem area of the city on Thursday night in a raid that was carried out with "short notice."

"Some of the individuals are members of Basra police service," said a statement from the commander of the 12th Mechanized Brigade.

The statement issued on Friday said it was of great concern to the British military "that members of Basra police are involved in terrorism. We know that there are good people in the Iraqi police service and the actions of the few should not be allowed to obscure that fact."

"However, nobody who has been involved in murdering MNF soldiers should be allowed to hide behind their uniform. That would be a disaster for the good, law-abiding people of Basra."

Britain -- which has commanded the multinational forces in southeastern Iraq -- is responding to recent deaths in the region, including "eight MNF soldiers and six coalition members have been killed by terrorists in Basra province."

"This terrorism must be stopped and it is our right to protect ourselves and innocent citizens. This operation was designed to do exactly that," the commander said.

Delivering best wishes for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, the commander's statement also said some of the people arrested were "linked to militia groups in Basra."

"But let me make it absolutely clear: we have acted against them solely because they are involved in terrorism, not because they are as members of any particular political group or organization."

British forces patrol the area around Basra in southern Iraq, territory that is overwhelmingly Shiite, where militia with historical ties to Shiite Iran have been powerful.

British troops have come under attack several times in recent weeks, most notably in a riot after British forces attacked a jail to free undercover soldiers they said had been turned over to a Shiite militia by police. (Full story)

The operation prompted condemnation by a senior local Iraqi official on Tuesday and renewed calls by a British opposition party for the UK government to withdraw from Iraq.

Producer Cal Perry contributed to this report.

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