Drone_pilot
09-08-04, 22:59
A British soldier has been killed and others injured in clashes in Basra with militiamen loyal to Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr.
A military spokesman said the situation in Iraq's second city was "extremely tense" after the clashes in which two vehicles were destroyed.
Large numbers of armed militiamen loyal to the cleric were reported to be roaming Basra's streets.
It comes after days of battles between Mr Sadr's men and US troops in Najaf.
The latest killing is believed to have brought the number of British deaths of military personnel in Iraq to 62.
The Ministry of Defence said British troops were trying to restore calm in Basra and avoid an escalation in the violence, but were firing where necessary for self defence.
The dead man was not being named until his family had been informed, the MoD said.
A spokesman added: "There have been a number of incidents within the British area of operations in and around Basra between insurgents and UK forces throughout the afternoon and early evening.
"We regret we can confirm that a British soldier has been killed and there have been a number of other casualties, the details of which will not be released until next-of-kin have been informed
BBC Read More (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/3549600.stm)
A military spokesman said the situation in Iraq's second city was "extremely tense" after the clashes in which two vehicles were destroyed.
Large numbers of armed militiamen loyal to the cleric were reported to be roaming Basra's streets.
It comes after days of battles between Mr Sadr's men and US troops in Najaf.
The latest killing is believed to have brought the number of British deaths of military personnel in Iraq to 62.
The Ministry of Defence said British troops were trying to restore calm in Basra and avoid an escalation in the violence, but were firing where necessary for self defence.
The dead man was not being named until his family had been informed, the MoD said.
A spokesman added: "There have been a number of incidents within the British area of operations in and around Basra between insurgents and UK forces throughout the afternoon and early evening.
"We regret we can confirm that a British soldier has been killed and there have been a number of other casualties, the details of which will not be released until next-of-kin have been informed
BBC Read More (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/3549600.stm)