Six British troops killed in southern Iraq

Six British forces personnel were killed and eight injured in two separate incidents today north of Basra, the southern Iraqi city where UK forces are based.

The announcement from Downing Street said the six were killed near Al Amarah, but gave no further details of the incident.

Prime Minister Tony Blair's official spokesman said that in a second incident troops from the 1st Battalion the Parachute Regiment patrolling south of Al Amarah came under fire and took one casualty.

An RAF Chinook helicopter involved in a quick response to the incident came under fire as it landed and seven on board the aircraft were wounded, three seriously.

Mr Blair's official spokesman said: "There have been two incidents today near Al Amarah. We very much regret to confirm that in one incident, six British personnel have been killed.

"Arrangements are in hand to inform their next of kin.

"In the second incident, troops from 1 Para patrolling south of Al Amarah came under fire. The patrol took one casualty and two vehicles were destroyed.

"In response to the incident, an RAF Chinook helicopter carrying a quick response force came under fire as it landed. Seven personnel on board the helicopter were wounded, three of them seriously. All were extracted by helicopter and are receiving treatment."

Mr Blair's spokesman continued: "The Ministry of Defence is investigating the incidents, including whether or not they are related.

"The Government will provide more information when we can but we ask the media to respect that the priority is ensuring that next of kin are informed as quickly as possible.

"The Defence Secretary will update the House of Commons as soon as possible but that is unlikely to be today."

Mr Blair's spokesman, asked when the incidents happened, replied: "We believe it happened this morning."

The spokesman added: "The Prime Minister was informed of this during lunchtime today and heard the news with great sadness and it goes without saying that he believes those who died have died with honour doing a very worthwhile job, serving their country with great distinction."

He stressed that the security of British troops had always been a primary consideration during planning for the reconstruction of Iraq.

Since the fall of Iraq, UK troops had suffered no major attacks until today.

By contrast American forces, scattered throughout Iraq and controlling the capital Baghdad, have lost 18 soldiers to enemy attacks since 1 May, when major combat was declared over.

Commenting on the first incident reported today involving the Paras, Captain Dennis Abbott, a military spokesman in Basra, said: "This was an isolated incident and in no way reflects the general security situation across the UK area of operations."

The 1st Battalion of the Parachute Regiment is in Iraq as part of 16 Air Assault Brigade.

The 1st Battalion has around 650 soldiers in Iraq who operated mainly around Basra and the southern oilfields during the conflict.

Their "primary function" since the end of the war has been to look after the British Embassy compound in Baghdad, according to defence sources.

The soldiers, who are based at Connaught Barracks in Dover, went out to the region in February and were due to start returning back to the UK from 30 June.

The town of Al Amarah lies near the Iranian border at the north of the British area of control.

It was the base for Saddam Hussein's notorious henchman Ali Hassan al–Majid, known as Chemical Ali, before he moved to Basra.

In the war Al Amarah became what allied planners had hoped for, a town that liberated itself.

Liberal Democrat defence spokesman Paul Keetch said: "This is a reminder that British troops remain in a war zone doing a difficult and dangerous job. Our thoughts must be with the families of those killed and injured.

"Al Amarah had been considered peaceful and when I visited the Paras there last month they reported that relations with the local people were very good.

"The upsurge in attacks against US and UK troops brings home to us that winning the peace is as important as winning the war.

"If Blair and Bush fail to follow through with their pre–war promises the consequences will likely fall on the members of our armed forces, just as did their decision to go to war in the first place.

"Our Government owes it to our armed forces to ensure they do not lose control of the political and diplomatic attempts to bring security and stability to Iraq."