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Soldier dies after Basra fighting Third UK soldier killed in Iraq
(about 2 hours later)
A British soldier who was seriously injured during fighting in Basra has died from his wounds. Three British soldiers have died in two days following a major operation against insurgents in southern Iraq.
The Ministry of Defence announced his death at the same time as it named a soldier who was killed in the same operation on Saturday. L/Cpl Ryan Francis of 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh was killed in Basra on Saturday when his Warrior armoured vehicle was hit by a bomb.
The soldier who died on Saturday was named as Lance Corporal Ryan Francis of 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh. Another soldier died on Saturday. He has not been named but he is from 3 Regiment Royal Military Police.
On Friday, a third serviceman died in an accident in Basra. He has been named as Rifleman Edward Vakabua, 23. On Friday, Rifleman Edward Vakabua died following an accident at a military base in the city.
The latest casualty has not yet been named but the MoD said he was from 3 Regiment Royal Military Police. Under attack
Lance Corporal Ryan Francis, 23, from Llanelli, south Wales, was the driver of a Warrior armoured fighting vehicle which was hit by a roadside bomb. The deaths on Saturday came during a large-scale operation launched in Basra, aimed at defeating insurgents who had been attacking the Iraqi Provincial Joint Co-ordination Centre in the city.
He was killed during a large-scale operation launched in Basra, aimed at defeating insurgents who had been attacking the Iraqi Provincial Joint Co-ordination Centre in the city. Two other soldiers were injured in the operation, and are being treated in the British field hospital in Basra.
The centre is home to both Iraqi security forces and multi-national forces. The co-ordination centre is home to both Iraqi security forces and multinational forces.
'Heart and soul'
A number of locations were searched and arrests were made, but troops came under attack from bombs, rocket-propelled grenades and gunfire.A number of locations were searched and arrests were made, but troops came under attack from bombs, rocket-propelled grenades and gunfire.
Three other soldiers were injured in the operation - including the military police soldier who has since died from wounds. 'Heart and soul'
The others are being treated in the British field hospital in Basra. L/Cpl Francis, who was known as Franky, died instantly when his vehicle was attacked.
Lc/Cpl Francis, who was known as Franky, died instantly when his vehicle was attacked. L/Cpl Ryan Francis was "respected by all"
He was described as a 'professional, brave and committed soldier who was the heart and soul of his platoon'. Lt Col James Swift, commanding officer of the 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh, said he was a "professional, brave and committed soldier who was the heart and soul of his platoon".
The British soldier who died in an accident in Iraq on Friday has been named as Rifleman Edward Vakabua, of 4th Battalion The Rifles. "He was genuine, honest, frank but always witty, and he was much liked and respected by all," Col Swift said.
He said L/Cpl Francis was at the heart of his platoon, which was one of the best in the battle group.
L/Cpl Francis's father Wyn paid tribute to his son from his home in Llanelli. He said: "Ryan was wonderful. I've got three wonderful sons and now I've lost one of them."
'Deeply proud''Deeply proud'
The soldier who died in an accident in Basra on Friday was Edward Vakabua, of 4th Battalion The Rifles.
Rifleman Vakabua, a Fijian national from Suva serving in Mortar Platoon attached to 7 Platoon, B Company, died at the Basra Palace base.Rifleman Vakabua, a Fijian national from Suva serving in Mortar Platoon attached to 7 Platoon, B Company, died at the Basra Palace base.
Rifleman Edward Vakabua was a "shy and pleasant" character
The Ministry of Defence has not given any details of the accident, but said an investigation had begun.The Ministry of Defence has not given any details of the accident, but said an investigation had begun.
The MoD said "Vaka" was a "quiet, shy and pleasant character".The MoD said "Vaka" was a "quiet, shy and pleasant character".
Based in Bulford, Wiltshire, he was described as a team player who completed tasks without complaint or problems. Capt Will Peltor, Rifleman Vakabua's platoon commander, said: "Vaka's death yesterday has hurt us all deeply: a friend, a cherished brother rifleman, a proud son of Fiji - and one of whom Fiji can be deeply proud - has been lost serving our country on active service."
Captain Will Peltor, Rifleman Vakabua's Platoon Commander, said: "Vaka's death yesterday has hurt us all deeply: a friend, a cherished brother Rifleman, a proud son of Fiji - and one of whom Fiji can be deeply proud - has been lost serving our country on active service."
'Courage and selflessness'
The platoon soldiers paid tribute to him in a ceremony, during which his fellow Fijians sang.
Capt Peltor added: "It raised the hairs on the backs of our necks and was a fitting and wonderful tribute to a fallen friend whose faith, courage, selflessness and simple decency defined him and inspired all who knew him."
Rifleman Vakabua's mother and sisters live in Fiji and his brother is also serving in Iraq, with the 1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery.Rifleman Vakabua's mother and sisters live in Fiji and his brother is also serving in Iraq, with the 1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery.
Defence Secretary Des Browne said: "I am deeply saddened by the tragic death of Rifleman Vakabua. His family are very much in my thoughts and prayers as they come to terms with their loss." The latest deaths take the total number of UK troops killed in operations in Iraq to 159.
Fijian soldiers
The latest deaths mean the total number of UK troops killed in operations in Iraq has risen to 159.
Of those who died, 123 are classed as having been killed in combat.Of those who died, 123 are classed as having been killed in combat.
There are approximately 2,000 soldiers serving in the British Army from Fiji, a country where almost half of the population is reported to live below the poverty line.