Iraqis Attack Troops after Helicopter Crashes in Basra

In Basra mind you, an area which has been relatively calm.

CNN story

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Crowds of Iraqis attacked British troops after a military helicopter crashed in the southern city of Basra on Saturday.

At least two Iraqis were killed as young men clashed with British personnel sent to the scene, Basra police said.

Shortly after the crash, video showed young men hurling rocks and at least one flaming Molotov cocktail at armored vehicles carrying personnel sent to secure the area. (Watch Iraqis attack a British military vehicle -- 4:38)

British officials said there were casualties from the British military helicopter crash, which occurred in a residential area, but they declined to give details or speculate on why the aircraft came down.

The Associated Press quoted Police Capt. Mushtaq Khazim as saying the helicopter went down after apparently being hit by a missile or a rocket.

"All I can tell you now is that there have been casualties," British military spokesman Maj. Sebastian Muntz told CNN.

"What I can say is, we've got British troops on the ground on the site of the incident who've secured it. And the Iraqi security forces are also assisting us on the ground at the moment," he said.

A high-ranking Basra police official told CNN the helicopter went down at 1:45 p.m. Saturday in the Saa'e neighborhood, behind the governor's office.

State-run al-Iraqiya television showed what it described as live footage from the crash site showing black smoke rising from a two-story house and British soldiers sealing off the area.