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UK troops seize Iraq ammunition UK troops seize Iraq ammunition
(40 minutes later)
British forces have launched a raid in southern Iraq, seizing some 500 mortar rounds, UK military officials say.British forces have launched a raid in southern Iraq, seizing some 500 mortar rounds, UK military officials say.
The find, described as "significant, included weapons and other munitions, and three people were detained.The find, described as "significant, included weapons and other munitions, and three people were detained.
Further north, Iraqi and US forces clashed with insurgents near the Shia holy city of Najaf, officials said, with three people reported killed. In Baghdad, violence has continued unabated with several people killed in bombings, while a mortar attack on a school left at least three girls dead.
Security is being stepped in the shrine city of Karbala for Ashura, a major religious festival for Shia Muslims.Security is being stepped in the shrine city of Karbala for Ashura, a major religious festival for Shia Muslims.
A British military spokesman said Sunday's early morning raid by some 250 troops was hastily arranged after they received information that ammunition was being moved in Az Zubayr, an area to the south-west of Basra.A British military spokesman said Sunday's early morning raid by some 250 troops was hastily arranged after they received information that ammunition was being moved in Az Zubayr, an area to the south-west of Basra.
The haul included 500 mortar rounds, 11 rockets, suspected bomb-making equipment, weapons and ammunition.The haul included 500 mortar rounds, 11 rockets, suspected bomb-making equipment, weapons and ammunition.
It is not the biggest find British troops have made in southern Iraq.It is not the biggest find British troops have made in southern Iraq.
However, with mortar and rocket fire, as well as roadside bombs, posing a regular threat to UK and Iraqi forces, the spokesman said it was hoped the raid had disrupted potential attacks.However, with mortar and rocket fire, as well as roadside bombs, posing a regular threat to UK and Iraqi forces, the spokesman said it was hoped the raid had disrupted potential attacks.
Ambush Flying glass
In other parts of Iraq, particularly Baghdad, violence continued unabated. Sunday saw a series of attacks in the Iraqi capital.
A bomb exploded on a minibus in the Iraqi capital, killing at least one person, reports said. Pupils at a secondary school in the mainly Sunni Adil district in west Baghdad were taking a break from lessons when a mortar landed in the yard.
Gunmen ambushed a senior official in Iraq's industry ministry as he drove to work, killing him, his daughter and two other people. Three girls were killed and others were injured by flying debris and shattered glass.
Police quoted by Reuters news agency said the attackers opened fire on Adel Abdul-Mehsen's vehicle in the Yarmouk district of Baghdad. Police say the district has frequently been mortared in the past three days.
Among other violence:
  • A car bomb in the Sadr City district killed at least four people
  • One person died when a bomb exploded on a minibus
  • A bomb attack on a market in west Baghdad left two people dead, AP reported
  • Gunmen ambushed a senior official in Iraq's industry ministry as he drove to work, killing him, his daughter and two other people
Pilgrims
Clashes were also reported near the Shia holy city of Najaf, where Iraqi and US forces battled insurgents, officials said. Three Iraqi soldiers were reported killed.
Ashura draws thousands of Shia pilgrims to Karbala
Some 10,000 Iraqi police and security forces are stepping up patrols in Karbala, where Shia pilgrims have been converging to celebrate the festival of Ashura.Some 10,000 Iraqi police and security forces are stepping up patrols in Karbala, where Shia pilgrims have been converging to celebrate the festival of Ashura.
Security has also been tightened along the 110 kilometres (70 miles) of highway from Baghdad to Karbala that runs through the Sunni areas, the French news agency AFP reports.Security has also been tightened along the 110 kilometres (70 miles) of highway from Baghdad to Karbala that runs through the Sunni areas, the French news agency AFP reports.
Ashura draws huge numbers of Shias to Karbala from across Iraq and beyond its borders.Ashura draws huge numbers of Shias to Karbala from across Iraq and beyond its borders.