- Title: IRAQ: Three British troops die in rocket attack on their base in Basra, statement
- Date: 21st July 2007
- Summary: EXTERIOR OF BASRA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT BUILDING
- Embargoed: 5th August 2007 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Iraq
- Country: Iraq
- Reuters ID: LVAA1E7JVVHPPKP0HCDRP1NLCQ3H
- Story Text: Three British troops have been killed in an attack on their base in the southern Iraqi city of Basra.
It happened on Thursday (July 19) at a British military compound at the airport. Several other British servicement were wounded.
A spokesman for British forces in Iraq, Major Matthew Bird, said the camp had come under rocket attack, an almost daily occurrence.
But most times the fire never hit the camp.
However on this occasion three members of the Royal Air Force were killed.
"Our thoughts are with their families" said Major Bird.
Bird said those responsible for such attacks acted "indiscriminately" and many of the rockets landed on residential areas.
"So these gunmen, who carry out these attacks, are criminals and the enemy of not only the British forces, but of the Iraqi people also" said Bird.
Six British troops have now been killed in Iraq this month, a total of 162 since the start of the Iraq war.
Following Thursday's attack British forces searched a bulding nearby where a number of unknown persons were seen loitering. Bird stressed the search was in no way connected to the activities of a news agency operating in the building.
Britain has a force of around 5,500 based mainly on the fringes of Basra, Iraq's second-largest city, 550 kilometres (340 miles) southeast of Baghdad.
Their bases frequently come under mortar fire from Shiite militants in the city. - Copyright Holder: POOL (CAN SELL)
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