Drone_pilot
11-08-04, 01:03
British troops are on high alert in the Iraqi city of Basra after one soldier was killed and others injured in clashes with militiamen.
Rising tension erupted into gun battles on Monday with fighters loyal to cleric Moqtada Sadr roaming the streets.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has named the dead soldier as Private Lee Martin O'Callaghan, of 1st Battalion, Princess of Wales' Royal Regiment.
His family has called on Tony Blair to pull British troops out of Iraq.
Meanwhile, the MoD said on Tuesday the southern city was tense but "broadly calm".
Speaking on BBC Breakfast, MoD spokesman Major Ian Clooney said British forces remained positioned to support Iraqi security forces in and around Basra.
BBC read more (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/3550568.stm)
Rising tension erupted into gun battles on Monday with fighters loyal to cleric Moqtada Sadr roaming the streets.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has named the dead soldier as Private Lee Martin O'Callaghan, of 1st Battalion, Princess of Wales' Royal Regiment.
His family has called on Tony Blair to pull British troops out of Iraq.
Meanwhile, the MoD said on Tuesday the southern city was tense but "broadly calm".
Speaking on BBC Breakfast, MoD spokesman Major Ian Clooney said British forces remained positioned to support Iraqi security forces in and around Basra.
BBC read more (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/3550568.stm)