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Two British soldiers die in Iraq Two British soldiers die in Iraq
(20 minutes later)
A British soldier in Iraq has been killed during fighting in Basra involving 1,000 troops, the Ministry of Defence has said. A British soldier in Iraq has died during fighting in Basra involving 1,000 troops, the MoD has said.
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.
In a separate incident, a soldier has died in an accident on a Basra base. Meanwhile, a soldier from 4th Battalion The Rifles died on Friday in an accident at the Basra Palace base.
The soldier from the 4th Battalion The Rifles died at the Basra Palace base on Friday, the MoD said. Three injured
The soldier's next of kin have been informed. The MoD said the soldier killed in fighting was on patrol in an overnight operation in the north of the city to detain individuals suspected of other attacks.
"An investigation into the incident is ongoing and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage," a spokesman said.
The MoD said the soldier killed was on patrol in an overnight operation in the north of the city 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.
Three soldiers are being treated at the British field hospital in Basra after unrelated incidents during the operation.Three soldiers are being treated at the British field hospital in Basra after unrelated incidents during the operation.
One soldier suffered serious injuries and another minor injury from small arms fire, and a further member of the armed forces was injured by an improvised explosive device.One soldier suffered serious injuries and another minor injury from small arms fire, and a further member of the armed forces was injured by an improvised explosive device.
Elsewhere in Iraq, more than 40 people have been killed in bomb attacks. The next of kin of the soldier who died in an accident have been informed.
"An investigation into the incident is ongoing and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage," a MoD spokesman said.
Elsewhere in Iraq, more than 50 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 were killed by a truck bomb in the town of Amirli, home to members of Iraq's Turkoman minority.Some 22 people died in a suspected suicide bomb in the small Shia Kurdish village in Diyala province. And at least 20 were killed by a truck bomb in the town of Amirli, home to members of Iraq's Turkoman minority.
'Troop reductions' Elsewhere, police said a family of seven sleeping on a Baghdad rooftop died when a mortar hit the building.
The deaths take the total number of UK troops killed in Iraq since hostilities began in 2003 to 158. Troop reductions
The total number of UK troops killed in Iraq since hostilities began in 2003 now stands at 158.
Most of the 5,500 British troops in Iraq are based in BasraMost of the 5,500 British troops in Iraq are based in Basra
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 stationed in Basra.Most of the 5,500 UK troops in Iraq are stationed in Basra.
The bases frequently come under mortar fire from Shiite militants involved in a power-struggle in the city.The bases frequently come under mortar fire from Shiite militants involved in a power-struggle in the city.
The BBC understands all personnel are shortly to be moved to a single base at Basra airport.The BBC understands all personnel are shortly to be moved to a single base at Basra 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.