U.S., UK unleash "firepower demonstration" in Basra

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - U.S. warplanes and British artillery unleashed a bombardment in the city of Basra ahead of an advance by Iraqi troops on Saturday, a British military spokesman said.

"British artillery and U.S. planes conducted a firepower demonstration to the west of Hayaniya, to give a demonstration of the firepower available if required," Major Tom Holloway said, referring to a neighborhood that is a stronghold of Mehdi Army fighters loyal to Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr.

He said the bombardment was aimed at an area of waste ground, and intended to be the biggest demonstration of the Western forces' might since government troops began a crackdown on Sadr fighters in late March.

(Writing by Peter Graff, Editing by Dean Yates)