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Two British troops die overseas Two British troops die overseas
(about 2 hours later)
One British soldier has been killed in Iraq and a British marine has been killed in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has said. A British soldier killed in Iraq and a British marine killed in Afghanistan have been named by defence officials .
The soldier died while on duty in Basra and the marine was killed during operations in the southern province of Helmand, officials confirmed. Kingsman Alexander Green died while on duty in Basra and Marine Thomas Curry was killed during operations in the southern province of Helmand.
The families of both men have been informed. Defence Secretary Des Browne said he was "greatly saddened" by the deaths.
Defence Secretary Des Browne said he was "greatly saddened" by the news of the two deaths. The MoD said Marine Curry, 21, died in a mission clearing Taleban positions at Kajaki, Helmand province.
The Ministry of Defence said the marine was killed during a mission to clear Taleban positions and firing points at Kajaki, Helmand province.
'Terrible loss''Terrible loss'
Brigadier Jerry Thomas, commander of the UK Task Force in Afghanistan, said: "I send my sincere and heartfelt condolences to his family and to his friends.Brigadier Jerry Thomas, commander of the UK Task Force in Afghanistan, said: "I send my sincere and heartfelt condolences to his family and to his friends.
"They have lost a much loved member of their family and a good friend and my thoughts are with them at this difficult time.""They have lost a much loved member of their family and a good friend and my thoughts are with them at this difficult time."
He was shot by small arms fire and died later from his injuries despite being medically evacuated MoD spokeswoman UK Afghanistan fatalities British deaths in IraqHe was shot by small arms fire and died later from his injuries despite being medically evacuated MoD spokeswoman UK Afghanistan fatalities British deaths in Iraq
An MoD spokeswoman said the soldier who died in Iraq was hit by gun-fire after briefly leaving his armoured vehicle. Kingsman Alex Green, aged 21, from 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, died as a result of injuries sustained from small arms fire whilst on a mission in the Hayy Al Muhandisn district of Basra City.
The soldier, from 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, was returning to his Basra base after a patrol when he was attacked.
"He was shot by small arms fire and died later from his injuries despite being medically evacuated and receiving the best possible treatment," the spokeswoman said.
She added that it was "quite normal" for soldiers to leave armoured vehicles during routine patrols.
Mortar attacksMortar attacks
The marine who died in Afghanistan was killed during running battles with Taleban fighters. Marine Curry, from east London and serving with Plymouth-based 42 Commando, was killed during running battles with Taleban fighters.
The British troops crawled up a hill in the early hours of Saturday morning to launch an attack which left 16 suspected insurgents dead.The British troops crawled up a hill in the early hours of Saturday morning to launch an attack which left 16 suspected insurgents dead.
Defence secretary said he was "greatly saddened" by deathsDefence secretary said he was "greatly saddened" by deaths
Nato commanders said the insurgents, who were hiding out in mud-brick compounds, had been disrupting planned work on a nearby dam project.Nato commanders said the insurgents, who were hiding out in mud-brick compounds, had been disrupting planned work on a nearby dam project.
The British camp in Kajaki had also regularly endured mortar attacks from the compounds, military officials said.The British camp in Kajaki had also regularly endured mortar attacks from the compounds, military officials said.
They added that the decision to go after the militants was made after watching them for almost a month.They added that the decision to go after the militants was made after watching them for almost a month.
Mr Browne said his "thoughts and sincere condolences" were with both servicemen's families, friends and colleagues "as they come to terms with this terrible loss".Mr Browne said his "thoughts and sincere condolences" were with both servicemen's families, friends and colleagues "as they come to terms with this terrible loss".
Fierce battleFierce battle
Earlier this week British troops killed up to 100 Taleban fighters as they destroyed a key base in Helmand province.Earlier this week British troops killed up to 100 Taleban fighters as they destroyed a key base in Helmand province.
It was described as the UK Task Force's biggest pre-planned operation in the area to date.It was described as the UK Task Force's biggest pre-planned operation in the area to date.
There are currently 6,000 British troops in Afghanistan, with 1,000 based in the capital, Kabul, and 5,000 in Helmand.There are currently 6,000 British troops in Afghanistan, with 1,000 based in the capital, Kabul, and 5,000 in Helmand.
In Iraq, there are 7,100 members of the British armed forces based around Basra in the south east of the country.In Iraq, there are 7,100 members of the British armed forces based around Basra in the south east of the country.
The last soldier to die in Iraq was Sergeant Wayne Rees, 36, who was killed in a road accident in rural Maysan province on 7 January.The last soldier to die in Iraq was Sergeant Wayne Rees, 36, who was killed in a road accident in rural Maysan province on 7 January.