RAF Tornado cover for Iraq battle

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Two British Tornado jet fighters took part in a battle that has been fought on the outskirts of the city of Najaf, the Ministry of Defence has said.

Iraqi officials said more than 200 militants were killed during clashes in the Zarqa area with US-backed troops ahead of a major Shia Muslim festival.

Extra air power was brought in when a US Apache helicopter was brought down.

The RAF GR4s flew cover for the US forces and did not drop any munitions, a MoD spokeswoman said.

"There were there as coalition forces working in a top cover role," she added.

A US military spokesman said two personnel were killed when their helicopter was shot down.

Najaf governor Asaad Abu Gilel said the militants had been intent on attacking Shia clerics and pilgrims marking the festival of Ashura.

A Najaf province spokesman said heavy machine guns, ammunition and other weapons had been seized and more than 100 arrests were made.

The violence was blamed on a previously unknown group, the Soldiers of Heaven.

Earlier security sources said the insurgents involved in the fighting had included both Shia and Sunni Muslims, as well Afghans, Saudis and Sudanese fighters.