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Rockets fired at UK's Basra base Rockets fired at UK's Basra base
(10 minutes later)
Up to 20 rockets have been fired at the British base at Basra airport, according to police in the southern Iraqi city. Up to 20 rockets have been fired at the British base at Basra airport, say police in the southern Iraqi city.
The attack is understood to have taken place at around 1415 local time. No British personnel are reported to have been seriously injured in the attack, thought to have happened at about 1415 local time (1215 BST).
Iraqi and British Army units responded by sealing of part of the Zubair district of the city, from where the katyusha rockets had been fired.Iraqi and British Army units responded by sealing of part of the Zubair district of the city, from where the katyusha rockets had been fired.
No British personnel are thought to have been seriously injured. Some 4,000 UK troops are currently based in Iraq. Some 4,000 UK troops are currently based in Iraq.
The majority of UK troops in Iraq are based on the outskirts of Basra, at the airport.
Airstrike precautions
Some 1,600 troops were withdrawn in 2007 after the completion of Operation Sinbad, which was designed to put Iraqis in charge of Basra's security.
The British military in Basra have confirmed that the rocket attack took place, but released no further details.
Air cover was provided following the attack, although there were no reports of any air strikes.
Local people have said militiamen from the Mehdi Army, who have recently been forced out of their traditional bases by Iraqi and coalition troops, have been attempting to establish themselves in the Zubair district.