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Four UK servicemen dead in Iraq Four UK servicemen dead in Iraq
(30 minutes later)
Four British servicemen have been killed following an attack on a patrol boat in southern Iraq.Four British servicemen have been killed following an attack on a patrol boat in southern Iraq.
Another three suffered serious injuries in the attack which took place during a routine patrol along the Shatt al-Arab waterway in Basra.Another three suffered serious injuries in the attack which took place during a routine patrol along the Shatt al-Arab waterway in Basra.
The boat was hit by an "improvised explosive device", said Captain Tane Dunlop, speaking from Basra.The boat was hit by an "improvised explosive device", said Captain Tane Dunlop, speaking from Basra.
Defence Secretary Des Browne paid tribute. It brings the total number of UK troops killed in Iraq to 125.Defence Secretary Des Browne paid tribute. It brings the total number of UK troops killed in Iraq to 125.
'Unusual''Unusual'
Capt Dunlop said: "The use of improvised explosive devices is very common in Iraq, more often further north but there have been a number of such attacks in the Basra province and Basra city. Capt Dunlop said the injured servicemen had been taken to a field hospital where they were undergoing surgery.
"It is slightly unusual in that this time it was targeting a boat, but they're usually used against any form of multi-national forces or personnel." At least one was suffering from potentially life-threatening injuries, he said.
He said the injured servicemen had been taken to a field hospital where they were undergoing surgery. An investigation was under way involving weapons specialists and an extensive information-gathering network across the city, he added.
Among the injured, at least one was suffering from potentially life-threatening injuries, he said.
An investigation was under way involving weapons specialists and an extensive information-gathering network across the city to find the perpetrators, he added.
Patrol boats form a key task for UK troops in the areaPatrol boats form a key task for UK troops in the area
The Foreign Office said the families of those killed were being informed and it was too early to release details of the servicemen's units or ranks.The Foreign Office said the families of those killed were being informed and it was too early to release details of the servicemen's units or ranks.
British military personnel have been patrolling the waterway, which borders with Iran and is considered a vital supply line, since 2003.
It was thought to be a safer way to travel between bases than going by road.
The attack took place at 0950 GMT (1250 local time) on Sunday and is thought to be the first such attack on a patrol boat.The attack took place at 0950 GMT (1250 local time) on Sunday and is thought to be the first such attack on a patrol boat.
BBC correspondent David Loyn, speaking from Baghdad, said: "It was quite an extraordinary attack. On the same day, two suicide bombers killed 35 people and wounded 60 at a police commando recruiting centre in western Baghdad, police said.
MoD HELPLINE 08457 800 900 And the US military said three American soldiers were killed in combat in western Al-Anbar province.
"The boat was on the water with at least seven military personnel on board. We don't know if they were marines or soldiers." British military personnel have been patrolling the Shatt al-Arab waterway, which borders Iran, since 2003.
Many of the deaths of British servicemen in Iraq have been caused by improvised bombs. It was thought to be a safer way to travel between bases than going by road.
Captain Dunlop said: "The use of improvised explosive devices is very common in Iraq, more often further north but there have been a number of such attacks in the Basra province and Basra city.
"It is slightly unusual in that this time it was targeting a boat, but they're usually used against any form of multi-national forces or personnel."
Stark reminderStark reminder
The deaths came on the same weekend that troops in Basra and elsewhere in Iraq paid their respects to lost colleagues, to mark Remembrance Day.
Defence Secretary Des Browne said in a statement that his thoughts were with the families of those killed.Defence Secretary Des Browne said in a statement that his thoughts were with the families of those killed.
"Today at the Cenotaph and across the country, we remembered those brave souls that have served this nation across the years," he said."Today at the Cenotaph and across the country, we remembered those brave souls that have served this nation across the years," he said.
Basra, Iraq's second city, is located on the Shatt Al-Arab waterwayBasra, Iraq's second city, is located on the Shatt Al-Arab waterway
"That dedication is still evident and the events today in Iraq are a stark reminder of the perils they face.""That dedication is still evident and the events today in Iraq are a stark reminder of the perils they face."
The Iraqi ambassador to the UK, Salah Al-Shaikhly, offered condolences to the families of the dead and injured.The Iraqi ambassador to the UK, Salah Al-Shaikhly, offered condolences to the families of the dead and injured.
He added that the role of British forces in Iraq was "critical", saying: "Our message to the people of Britain is that we are deeply grateful for their effort to help us build our young democracy and we Iraqis share with them the sorrow for the sacrifices we are making daily at the hands of perpetrators of terror and violence." He added that the role of British forces in Iraq was "critical", saying: "Our message to the people of Britain is that we are deeply grateful for their effort to help us build our young democracy.
The deaths came on the same weekend that troops in Basra and elsewhere in Iraq paid their respects to lost colleagues, to mark Remembrance Day. "We Iraqis share with them the sorrow for the sacrifices we are making daily at the hands of perpetrators of terror and violence."
Both Liam Fox, the shadow defence secretary and Sir Menzies Campbell, leader of the Liberal Democrats, expressed their sympathy to the families of those killed. Liam Fox, the shadow defence secretary and Sir Menzies Campbell, leader of the Liberal Democrats, expressed their sympathy to the families of those killed.
In a separate incident, the US military says three American soldiers have been killed in combat while operating in western Al-Anbar province.
And two suicide bombers have killed 35 people and wounded 60 at a police commando recruiting centre in western Baghdad, police say.