Third UK soldier killed in Iraq

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Three British soldiers have died in two days following a major operation against insurgents in southern Iraq.

L/Cpl Ryan Francis of 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh was killed in Basra on Saturday when his Warrior armoured vehicle was hit by a bomb.

Another soldier died on Saturday. He has not been named but he is from 3 Regiment Royal Military Police.

On Friday, Rifleman Edward Vakabua died following an accident at a military base in the city.

Under attack

The deaths on Saturday came during a large-scale operation launched in Basra, aimed at defeating insurgents who had been attacking the Iraqi Provincial Joint Co-ordination Centre in the city.

Two other soldiers were injured in the operation, and are being treated in the British field hospital in Basra.

The co-ordination centre is home to both Iraqi security forces and multinational forces.

A number of locations were searched and arrests were made, but troops came under attack from bombs, rocket-propelled grenades and gunfire.

'Heart and soul'

L/Cpl Francis, who was known as Franky, died instantly when his vehicle was attacked.

L/Cpl Ryan Francis was "respected by all"

Lt Col James Swift, commanding officer of the 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh, said he was a "professional, brave and committed soldier who was the heart and soul of his platoon".

"He was genuine, honest, frank but always witty, and he was much liked and respected by all," Col Swift said.

He said L/Cpl Francis was at the heart of his platoon, which was one of the best in the battle group.

L/Cpl Francis's father Wyn paid tribute to his son from his home in Llanelli. He said: "Ryan was wonderful. I've got three wonderful sons and now I've lost one of them."

'Deeply proud'

The soldier who died in an accident in Basra on Friday was Edward Vakabua, of 4th Battalion The Rifles.

Rifleman Vakabua, a Fijian national from Suva serving in Mortar Platoon attached to 7 Platoon, B Company, died at the Basra Palace base.

Rifleman Edward Vakabua was a "shy and pleasant" character

The Ministry of Defence has not given any details of the accident, but said an investigation had begun.

The MoD said "Vaka" was a "quiet, shy and pleasant character".

Capt Will Peltor, Rifleman Vakabua's platoon commander, said: "Vaka's death yesterday has hurt us all deeply: a friend, a cherished brother rifleman, a proud son of Fiji - and one of whom Fiji can be deeply proud - has been lost serving our country on active service."

Rifleman Vakabua's mother and sisters live in Fiji and his brother is also serving in Iraq, with the 1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery.

The latest deaths take the total number of UK troops killed in operations in Iraq to 159.

Of those who died, 123 are classed as having been killed in combat.