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Two British soldiers die in Iraq Two British soldiers die in Iraq
(about 2 hours later)
A British soldier in Iraq has died during fighting in Basra involving 1,000 troops, the MoD 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 faced machine gun fire and rocket-propelled grenades as the UK launched an operation targeting groups thought to be behind recent attacks.
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.
Meanwhile, a soldier from 4th Battalion The Rifles died on Friday in an accident at the Basra Palace base. Meanwhile, a member of the 4th Battalion The Rifles died on Friday in an accident at the Basra Palace base.
Three injuredThree injured
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. The operation was the largest of its kind to be carried out in Basra this year, said UK military spokesman Major David Gell.
A number of arrests are reported to have been made. Its focus was individuals thought responsible for attacks on the Iraqi Provincial Joint Co-ordination Centre in the city, home to both Iraqi security forces and multi-national forces.
A number of locations were searched and arrests made, Major Gell said.
The MoD said the soldier killed in fighting was on patrol just after midnight local time. Next of kin have yet to be informed.
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.
The next of kin of the soldier who died in an accident have been informed.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. "An investigation into the incident is ongoing and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage," an MoD spokesman said.
Elsewhere in Iraq, more than 70 people have been killed in bomb attacks.Elsewhere in Iraq, more than 70 people have been killed in bomb attacks.
In the worst attack, a truck bomb hit a market in the town of Amirli, northern Iraq, killing at least 40 people and leaving 90 injured and others trapped in rubble.In the worst attack, a truck bomb hit a market in the town of Amirli, northern Iraq, killing at least 40 people and leaving 90 injured and others trapped in rubble.
About 22 more people died overnight in a small Shia Kurdish village in Diyala province when a suicide bomber hit a cafe that was hosting a funeral.About 22 more people died overnight in a small Shia Kurdish village in Diyala province when a suicide bomber hit a cafe that was hosting a funeral.
Elsewhere, police said a family of seven sleeping on a Baghdad rooftop died when a mortar hit the building.Elsewhere, police said a family of seven sleeping on a Baghdad rooftop died when a mortar hit the building.
Troop reductionsTroop reductions
The total number of UK troops killed in Iraq since hostilities began in 2003 now stands at 158.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.