The Men in Black vanish and Basra Comes to Life

Basra - Young women are daring to wear jeans, soldiers listen to pop music on their mobile phones and bands are performing at wedding parties again. All across Iraq’s second city life is improving, a month after Iraqi troops began a surprise crackdown on the black-clad gangs who were allowed to flourish under the British military. The gunmen’s reign had enforced a strict set of religious codes. (Snip) “All these men in black [who imposed the laws] just vanished from the university after this operation,” said Ms Ahmed.

Raids are continuing in a few remaining strongholds but the Iraqi commander in charge of the unprecedented operation is confident that his forces will soon achieve something that the British military could not – a city free from rogue gunmen...

['stepping up' happens a step at a time. Here's one.]

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