Troops on alert for Saddam's suicide squad

British forces in southern Iraq were placed on high alert yesterday after reports that the Fedayeen, Saddam Hussein's ultra-loyal "brigade of martyrs", are operating in the area.

As in other parts of the country, the level of resistance around the oilfields west of Basra has taken the Allies by surprise, and is further complicated because the aggressors are often in civilian dress. The Army's problems have been exacerbated by the fact many of the younger soldiers have only experienced peace-keeping duties and are unfamiliar with wartime rules of engagement.

Yesterday, amid severe sandstorms and thunderstorms, troops from 16 Air Assault Brigade became involved in a fierce artillery battle with an Iraqi division, and a rocket propelled grenade was fired at one of 3 Regiment Army Air Corps' Lynx Mk7 helicopters. Extra patrols were mobilised to guard the encampment.

Regiments within the brigade, currently holding the Rumeila oilfields and expanding into the western desert, were ordered not to travel unless accompanied by a second vehicle and communication facilities. Checkpoints were set up around the area and sweeps were made to locate stashes of weapons and ammunition. Any noise or light in the vicinity has been strictly monitored.

Captain Matt Wilcock, of 3 Regiment Army Air Corps said: "If a civilian is seen carrying a weapon and they do not surrender then they will be shot. We cannot take the risk of people running around with arms. It is an aggressive posture we are taking in this area at the moment. We have not fallen back to phase four [post-conflict]. It is still a war footing."

While a large number of Iraqis around the oilfields are now carrying white flags and almost 1,000 prisoners of war have been taken in the surrounding area, resistance continues. In one instance, seven men, wearing civilian clothes, were spotted carrying rocket propelled grenade launchers near one of the British camps.

Reports that the Fedayeen are operating locally has heightened alertness. Originally formed in 1995 by the Iraqi leader's elder son, Uday, as a brutal private militia, their job is now thought to involve stiffening the resolve of regular army commanders. The mysterious, lightly armed force of some 20,000 to30,000 fighters will also launch guerrilla-style attacks to waylay the coalition, experts said yesterday.

On Sunday, a 33-year-old married father, Sergeant Steven Roberts, of the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment, died from gunshot wounds he suffered while trying to quell civilian rioting at Zubayr, 15 miles west of Basra. A US Marine officer also lost his life in a "civilian" drive-by shooting in the area five days ago.

While US forces have spearheaded the fighting throughout a large part of Iraq, they have opted to move on swiftly, leaving the more complex task of dealing with the remaining resistance to British troops.

Pilots in 3 Regiment Army Air Corps, have had to alter their initial plans – to engage columns of enemy tanks with the Lynx Mk7 – to scouring the area for small bands of armed men.

"We have just got to look out for this Northern Ireland style, asymmetric threat now," explained Capt Wilcock.