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UK soldier dies in Iraq fighting UK soldier dies in Iraq fighting
(about 1 hour later)
A British soldier has been killed and three others wounded in three separate incidents around Basra, the Ministry of Defence has said. A British soldier has been killed and three others wounded in separate incidents around Basra, the Ministry of Defence has said.
About 1,000 troops were involved in operations in the city. About 1,000 troops were involved in overnight operations in the city.
Soldiers came under attack from machine gun and rocket propelled grenades, and encountered several roadside bombs.Soldiers came under attack from machine gun and rocket propelled grenades, and encountered several roadside bombs.
The dead soldier - in a Warrior vehicle patrol in the Tuninah district - was hit by an improvised explosive device. Next of kin have yet to be informed.The dead soldier - in a Warrior vehicle patrol in the Tuninah district - was hit by an improvised explosive device. Next of kin have yet to be informed.
The MoD said the soldier was taking part in an operation to detain individuals suspected of other attacks. The MoD said the soldier was taking part in an overnight operation to detain individuals suspected of other attacks.
A number of arrests are reported to have been made.A number of arrests are reported to have been made.
The injured soldiers are being treated at the British field hospital in Basra. One suffered serious injuries and two others received minor wounds.
Meanwhile, the MoD said a soldier of 4th Battalion The Rifles died in a "non-combatant accident" at the Basra Palace base in the city on Friday.
The soldier's next of kin have been informed.
"An investigation into the incident is ongoing and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage," a spokesman said.
'Troop reductions''Troop reductions'
The death take to the total number of UK troops killed in Iraq since hostilities began in 2003 to 157. The deaths take the total number of UK troops killed in Iraq since hostilities began in 2003 to 158.
Of those who died, 122 are classed as having been killed in hostile action.Of those who died, 122 are classed as having been killed in hostile action.
Most of the 5,500 UK troops in Iraq are based at two locations in Basra. Most of the 5,500 UK troops in Iraq are stationed at one of two bases in the city, which frequently come under mortar fire from Shiite militants.
The BBC understands soldiers are shortly to be moved to a single base at the city's airport. The BBC understands all personnel are shortly to be moved to a single base at the city's airport.
It is thought the plan over the next 12 months is to then reduce the number of troops to just 1,500.It is thought the plan over the next 12 months is to then reduce the number of troops to just 1,500.
Elsewhere in Iraq, more than 40 people have been killed in bomb attacks.
Some 22 people died in a suspected suicide bomb in the small Shia Kurdish village in Diyala province. And at least 20 people were killed in a truck bomb attack on a market in the town of Amirli, home to members of Iraq's Turkoman minority.