UK troops hurt in Basra clashes

British troops clash with Iraqi protesters in Basra

Three British soldiers have been injured after troops clashed with dozens of Iraqis.

Three Iraqis are also reported to have been wounded in the disturbance in the southern city of Basra.

The incident happened when soldiers tried evict people thought to be anti-coalition activists from a government-owned building.

Television footage showed protesters throwing stones at the troops and their vehicles.

At one stage, two soldiers struggled with an Iraqi man as he tried to grab one of their weapons.

'Illegal tenants'

A Ministry Of Defence spokesman said British soldiers fired baton rounds to bring the situation under control.

He said: "There was a public order disturbance in Basra as British soldiers evicted illegal tenants from a local government building.

"Soldiers took appropriate measures to contain them and three soldiers suffered minor injuries.

"We are not aware of any Iraqi injuries. The disturbance lasted about 25 minutes and only a small minority were involved.

"We must stress that the area is now quiet."

The incident is now being investigated by the Iraqi police and the Royal Military Police.

'Opened fire'

According to reports, about 80 people protested against the British evacuation order of the building occupied by the local Islamic Party, God's Revenge.

The protest started when the British soldiers arrived at the office and tried to force people out of the building.

As a result, protesters at the office reportedly reacted by setting tyres on fire and hurling stones at British soldiers.

British troops try to force protesters out of the building

The MoD played down suggestions violence in Basra was increasing.

'No escalation'

"This was not connected with any other incidents. I do not think there is anything to read into this of any level of deterioration in violence," the spokesman said.

In a separate incident, US soldiers in the northern city of Mosul shot and killed four rebels suspected of involvement in attacks in the region, the military said.

Two American soldiers were also believed to have been wounded in the firefight.

The fighting came hours after gunmen fired on a convoy carrying a government minister near Mosul and the separate killings of a Canadian and Briton in the area.