British troops killed in Iraq

Six British military personnel have been killed in southern Iraq, the government has announced.

A further eight were wounded - three of them seriously - after coming under attack in a separate incident.

The incidents - both in Amara - are the most serious involving UK troops since the end of the war.

The Ministry of Defence said the injured soldiers are members of the 1st Battalion of the Parachute Regiment, who were on patrol near Amara, on the River Tigris, 125 miles north of Basra.

One unconfirmed report says a helicopter was ambushed.

Captain Dennis Abbot said: "This was an isolated incident and in no way reflects the general security situation across the UK area of operations."

'Primary function'

The 1st Battalion has about 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 reportedly been to look after the British embassy compound in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad.

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

The BBC's Peter Greste in Baghdad says British forces have made greater efforts to win the trust of local people than the Americans based in and around the capital.

But he adds that this more open attitude may change as a result of this incident.

Labour MP Tam Dalyell, a critic of the war, expressed sympathy for the injured soldiers and their families before adding: "But can any of us be surprised? We are increasingly being seen as an occupying army."

Iraqis killed

Dozens of US troops have been killed in attacks in Iraq since the war officially ended, but assaults on British forces - who control a wide swathe of southern Iraq - have so far been rare.

Tuesday also saw reports of an attack on US troops in Ramadi, to the west of Baghdad.

Up to five Iraqis are reported to have been killed when US forces retaliated after coming under attack. Two Americans are said to have been injured.