This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/6259352.stm

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 9 Version 10
Two British soldiers die in Iraq Two British soldiers die in Iraq
(about 3 hours later)
A British soldier in Iraq has died during fighting in Basra involving 1,000 troops, the MoD has said. Two British soldiers have died in separate incidents in southern Iraq, the MoD said.
Soldiers faced machine gun fire and rocket-propelled grenades as the UK launched an operation targeting groups thought to be behind recent attacks. One soldier died during fighting in Basra which involved 1,000 troops, the other died in an accident at a British base in the city.
The dead soldier - in a Warrior vehicle patrol in the Tuninah district - was hit by an improvised explosive device. The UK deaths come as a bomb attack in northern Iraq killed 105 people.
Meanwhile, a member of the 4th Battalion The Rifles died on Friday in an accident at the Basra Palace base. The soldier who died in the fighting in Basra was in a Warrior vehicle patrol in the Tuninah district which was hit by an improvised explosive device.
Three injured The fatal accident involving the second soldier, who was from the 4th Battalion the Rifles, took place at the Basra Palace base on Friday.
Field hospital
In the fighting in Basra, troops faced machine gun fire and rocket-propelled grenades as British forces launched an operation targeting groups thought to be behind recent attacks.
The operation was the largest of its kind to be carried out in Basra this year, said UK military spokesman Major David Gell.The operation was the largest of its kind to be carried out in Basra this year, said UK military spokesman Major David Gell.
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.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.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. 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," an 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. Market attack
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. The blast in northern Iraq destroyed the market in the small town of Amirli, killing many people instantly and trapping dozens.
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. It was the most deadly single attack in Iraq since April, correspondents say.
Elsewhere, police said a family of seven sleeping on a Baghdad rooftop died when a mortar hit the building. It came as 29 people were killed in separate violence, including 22 who died overnight in Diyala province when a suicide bomber hit a cafe that was hosting a funeral.
Troop reductions And police said a family of seven sleeping on a Baghdad rooftop died when a mortar hit the building.
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.