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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Two killings hit British forces | Two killings hit British forces |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| One British soldier has been killed in Iraq and a British marine has been killed in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has said. | One British soldier has been killed in Iraq and a British marine has been killed in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has said. |
| The soldier died while on duty in Basra and the marine was killed during operations in the southern province of Helmand, officials confirmed. | The soldier died while on duty in Basra and the marine was killed during operations in the southern province of Helmand, officials confirmed. |
| The families of both men have been informed. | The families of both men have been informed. |
| Defence Secretary Des Browne said he was "greatly saddened" by the news of the two deaths. | Defence Secretary Des Browne said he was "greatly saddened" by the news of the two deaths. |
| The MoD said the British marine was killed during an ongoing mission to clear Taleban positions and firing points at Kajaki, in Helmand province. | |
| 'Terrible loss' | 'Terrible loss' |
| Brigadier Jerry Thomas, commander of the UK Task Force in Afghanistan, said: "I send my sincere and heartfelt condolences to his family and to his friends. | Brigadier Jerry Thomas, commander of the UK Task Force in Afghanistan, said: "I send my sincere and heartfelt condolences to his family and to his friends. |
| "They have lost a much loved member of their family and a good friend and my thoughts are with them at this difficult time." | "They have lost a much loved member of their family and a good friend and my thoughts are with them at this difficult time." |
| Officials said the soldier died in Basra while performing his duty. | Officials said the soldier died in Basra while performing his duty. |
| Mr Browne said his "thoughts and sincere condolences" were with both servicemen's families, friends and colleagues "as they come to terms with this terrible loss". | Mr Browne said his "thoughts and sincere condolences" were with both servicemen's families, friends and colleagues "as they come to terms with this terrible loss". |
| Fierce battle | |
| Earlier this week British troops killed up to 100 Taleban fighters as they destroyed a key base in Helmand province. | |
| It was described as the UK Task Force's biggest pre-planned operation in the area to date. | |
| There are currently 6,000 British troops in Afghanistan, with 1,000 based in the capital, Kabul, and 5,000 in Helmand. | |
| In Iraq, there are 7,100 members of the British armed forces based around Basra in the south east of the country. | |
| The last soldier to die in Iraq was Sergeant Wayne Rees, 36, who was killed in a road accident in rural Maysan province on 7 January. |