A three-day security crackdown involving hundreds of British troops has been launched in Basra.
The southern Iraqi city was ringed by troops and borders with Iran were closed while forces "surge" into notorious areas to tackle smuggling and rogue militias.
Codenamed Operation Troy, the mission is designed to help the latest American push to reduce violence in Baghdad and is being carried out by 2,000 Iraqi and 1,200 UK personnel.
It is the biggest such operation yet planned and executed by the homegrown forces under the guidance of the UK.
Troops from 19 Light Brigade assisted with the "lockdown", helping Iraqi police check every vehicle on the eight routes into and out of the city.
And the Royal Marines were involved in water-based patrols, searching traffic along the Shatt Al Arab waterway.
19 Light Brigade spokesman in Iraq Captain Ollie Pile said: "Operation Troy is a large-scale operation which sees Iraqi and multinational forces working together for the greater good of the people of Basra.
"We see this as another step along the way towards the Iraqi authorities taking responsibility for the security of Basra.
"It is also conducted in partnership with the Baghdad Security Plan and other security operations being conducted throughout Iraq."
