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UK soldiers killed in Iraq attack UK soldiers killed in Iraq attack
(20 minutes later)
Two UK soldiers have been killed in a bomb attack near Basra in southern Iraq, a military spokesman has said. Two UK soldiers have been killed in a bomb attack near Basra in southern Iraq, the Ministry of Defence has said.
It is thought the explosion, which took place as the troops were on patrol, was caused by a roadside device. Their patrol was targeted by a roadside bomb and small arms fire near the town of Ad Dayr at about 1300 local time.
Another two soldiers were injured in the incident and have been taken to the Shaibah Logistics Base for emergency medical treatment. Another two soldiers were injured - one seriously - and have been taken to the Shaibah Logistics Base by helicopter for emergency medical treatment.
In a separate incident, British boats at a base in Basra itself have been hit by mortar rounds or rockets. In a separate incident, British boats at a base in Basra were hit by mortar rounds or rockets.
The attack started a fire among boats on a waterway inside the perimeter of the Shatt al-Arab Hotel base but no casualties were reported.The attack started a fire among boats on a waterway inside the perimeter of the Shatt al-Arab Hotel base but no casualties were reported.
The deaths bring the total number of UK soldiers killed in operations in Iraq since the 2003 conflict to 117.
The last British soldier to be killed in Iraq was Matthew Cornish, 29, of the 1st Battalion The Light Infantry, who died after a mortar attack on a Basra base on 1 August.
There are about 7,200 UK personnel in British-controlled southern Iraq, most in the Basra area.There are about 7,200 UK personnel in British-controlled southern Iraq, most in the Basra area.
The military convoy is said to have been targeted about nine miles (15km) north of the city at about 1300 local time. The military convoy was targeted about nine miles (15km) north of the city.
"A British patrol was attacked near the town of Ad Dayr, north of Basra city," said Capt Tane Dunlop, a force spokesman. "It is with great regret that we can confirm that two British soldiers have died as a result of an attack on a British patrol," the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.
"There was a roadside bomb and some small arms fire." "One other British soldier was seriously injured, and a further one suffered minor injuries.
"Both have been evacuated for emergency medical care and taken by helicopter to a British Field Hospital at Shaibah Logistics Base."