This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/6532167.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Army stresses 'progress' in Basra Army stresses 'progress' in Basra
(about 2 hours later)
The Army insists it is making progress in Basra, despite the deaths of four British soldiers in the Iraqi city.The Army insists it is making progress in Basra, despite the deaths of four British soldiers in the Iraqi city.
Lt Col Kevin Stratford-Wright said the area was "difficult" but denied that "things are going terribly wrong".Lt Col Kevin Stratford-Wright said the area was "difficult" but denied that "things are going terribly wrong".
Two women were among the four soldiers killed by a roadside bomb in the southern Iraqi city on Thursday. A fifth soldier was seriously injured.Two women were among the four soldiers killed by a roadside bomb in the southern Iraqi city on Thursday. A fifth soldier was seriously injured.
A civilian translator was also killed in the bomb blast, which targeted a patrol in a Warrior armoured vehicle.A civilian translator was also killed in the bomb blast, which targeted a patrol in a Warrior armoured vehicle.
Tony Blair said it was too soon to link the attack to Iran, but he accused the country of "financing, arming and supporting terrorism in Iraq".
The prime minister has contrasted the safe return of the 15 navy crew held in Iran with the "sober and ugly reality" of the deaths of the British soldiers in Iraq in what he described as a "terrorist act".
We are making progress, but sadly a very small percentage of people in this area are capable of mounting some deadly attacks Col Kevin Stratford-Wright Women in the military We are making progress, but sadly a very small percentage of people in this area are capable of mounting some deadly attacks Col Kevin Stratford-Wright Women in the military
Col Kevin Stratford-Wright, the British Army's spokesman in Basra, told BBC News: "It is very often difficult here. Col Stratford-Wright, the British Army's spokesman in Basra, told BBC News: "It is very often difficult here.
"I can understand why people looking from afar would think things are going terribly wrong. That is not the case."I can understand why people looking from afar would think things are going terribly wrong. That is not the case.
"We are making progress, but sadly a very small percentage of people in this area are capable of mounting some deadly attacks.""We are making progress, but sadly a very small percentage of people in this area are capable of mounting some deadly attacks."
The British army's spokesman in Iraq said there has been a "steady increase" in the number of attacks on UK troops.
This latest incident brings the total number of UK troops killed in operations in Iraq to 140.This latest incident brings the total number of UK troops killed in operations in Iraq to 140.
Col Stratford-Wright admitted that despite a lull last month, the number of attacks from insurgents in the region was escalating. 'Steady increase'
Col Stratford-Wright said that despite a lull last month, the number of attacks from insurgents in the region was escalating.
He said: "There has been a pretty steady increase over recent months.He said: "There has been a pretty steady increase over recent months.
"But clearly, although they are a very small percentage of the population - probably less than 1% are hostile to us.""But clearly, although they are a very small percentage of the population - probably less than 1% are hostile to us."
The prime minister has contrasted the safe return of the 15 navy crew held in Iran with the "sober and ugly reality" of the deaths of the British soldiers in Iraq in what he described as a "terrorist act".
"Now it is far too early to say the particular terrorist act that killed ourforces was an act committed by terrorists who were backed by any elements of theIranian regime, so I make no allegation in respect of that particular incident," he said.
"But the general picture... is that there are elements atleast of the Iranian regime that backing, financing, arming, supporting terrorism in Iraq."
Patrol dutyPatrol duty
The women who died belonged to the Intelligence Corps and the Royal Army Medical Corps.The women who died belonged to the Intelligence Corps and the Royal Army Medical Corps.
The two male soldiers who were killed alongside them were from the Royal Army Medical Corps and 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment.The two male soldiers who were killed alongside them were from the Royal Army Medical Corps and 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment.
The injured soldier is now being treated in the military hospital in BasraThe injured soldier is now being treated in the military hospital in Basra
The MoD said next of kin were being informed and no further details would be released until that process was complete.The MoD said next of kin were being informed and no further details would be released until that process was complete.
According to the MoD, the incident happened in the early hours of Thursday as the troops returned from patrol duty. Massive explosion
Under attack The MoD said the incident happened in the early hours of Thursday as the troops returned from patrol duty.
Their vehicle first came under attack near the centre of Basra and continued on its way.Their vehicle first came under attack near the centre of Basra and continued on its way.
However, on a stretch of highway in the Hayaniyah district on the north-western outskirts of Basra it was hit by a massive bomb explosion which wrecked the vehicle and left a three-foot crater.However, on a stretch of highway in the Hayaniyah district on the north-western outskirts of Basra it was hit by a massive bomb explosion which wrecked the vehicle and left a three-foot crater.
The soldiers were all inside the vehicle when they died.The soldiers were all inside the vehicle when they died.
After the bomb explosion British forces in the area came under attack from small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades, and they fired back.After the bomb explosion British forces in the area came under attack from small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades, and they fired back.
Iraqi police said the British forces attacked a nearby police checkpoint and detained and disarmed those manning it.Iraqi police said the British forces attacked a nearby police checkpoint and detained and disarmed those manning it.
The BBC's Jim Muir in Baghdad said the area where the incidents took place is believed to be a hotbed of support for the radical Shi'ite militia lead by the cleric Moqtada Sadr.The BBC's Jim Muir in Baghdad said the area where the incidents took place is believed to be a hotbed of support for the radical Shi'ite militia lead by the cleric Moqtada Sadr.
Rifleman Aaron Lincoln, 18, was shot while on patrol in BasraRifleman Aaron Lincoln, 18, was shot while on patrol in Basra
Two other British soldiers were also killed in Iraq this week, also while on patrol in the Basra area.Two other British soldiers were also killed in Iraq this week, also while on patrol in the Basra area.
The bodies of 18-year-old Rifleman Aaron Lincoln, from the 2nd Battalion, The Rifles, and Kingsman Danny Wilson, 28, from Chindit Company, 2nd Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, have been flown back to RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire.The bodies of 18-year-old Rifleman Aaron Lincoln, from the 2nd Battalion, The Rifles, and Kingsman Danny Wilson, 28, from Chindit Company, 2nd Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, have been flown back to RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire.
Kingsman Wilson, from Workington, Cumbria, was fatally wounded while on patrol in the al-Ashar district of Basra on 1 April. He leaves behind a wife and son.Kingsman Wilson, from Workington, Cumbria, was fatally wounded while on patrol in the al-Ashar district of Basra on 1 April. He leaves behind a wife and son.
Rifleman Aaron Lincoln, from Durham, was shot in the same area the following day.Rifleman Aaron Lincoln, from Durham, was shot in the same area the following day.
Of those soldiers who have died in Iraq, 108 are classed as having been killed after hostile action, while 32 have died from illness, non-combat injuries or accidents, or the cause of their death is still unknown.Of those soldiers who have died in Iraq, 108 are classed as having been killed after hostile action, while 32 have died from illness, non-combat injuries or accidents, or the cause of their death is still unknown.