Two British soldiers killed in Basra ambush
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Two British soldiers died following an ambush on a convoy near the southern Iraqi city of Basra today, a Ministry of Defence spokesman said.
Two British soldiers died following an ambush on a convoy near the southern Iraqi city of Basra today, a Ministry of Defence spokesman said.
They came under attack south west of the city and the pair were killed as they tried to rescue other soldiers from one of the vehicles in the convoy.
The spokesman said: "Two British soldiers died following the ambush of a military convoy south-west of Basra this morning.
"There was an armoured Land Rover which was badly damaged and while the soldiers were trying to extract the casualties from that Land Rover they came under further small arms fire."
Further details about those who died were being withheld until their families had been informed.
It came just hours before Prime Minister Tony Blair was due to address the Labour Party conference in Brighton.
Meanwhile American forces unleashed a strike today on a site in the insurgent stronghold of Fallujah where several militants loyal to Abu Musab al-Zarqawi are believed to be in hiding, the US military said.
Intelligence indicated that the militants were "planning attacks using foreign suicide bombers in vehicles rigged with explosives," the military said in a statement.
There was no immediate word on casualties. But early reports showed that no civilians were in the area when the blast went off, the statement said.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments