New attack on Black Watch troops

Sgt Steve Golding investigates one of the unexploded bombs

British Black Watch troops have come under fresh attack at their base south of Baghdad.

One mortar exploded at the Camp Dogwood complex early on Tuesday evening. Five other "impacts" which did not explode were also reported.

No one was injured and there was no damage to the base, the Ministry of Defence said.

The attack was the fourth at Camp Dogwood since the 850-strong battle group arrived on Friday.

An MoD spokeswoman said it was not clear whether the unexploded devices were shells, mortars or rockets.

The Black Watch is expected to begin active patrolling this week, blocking off exit routes from Falluja and releasing US forces for an anticipated all-out assault on the rebel stronghold.

On Tuesday, Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon said he was "confident" Black Watch would be back in their base in southern Iraq within 30 days.

Black Watch troops cope with life at Camp Dogwood

Mr Hoon was asked by MPs about the controversial decision to deploy the UK troops into a US-controlled area in the south of Iraq.

He said the Black Watch was there to "maintain stability in a particular defined area".

Prime Minister Tony Blair had previously said the troops would be home by Christmas.

On Monday, the first daylight attacks were launched on Black Watch since its arrival, with seven rockets fired into Camp Dogwood in the space of an hour. There were no casualties.

Downing Street said such attacks were "expected" ahead of January's election.

The battle group is led by three companies of armoured infantry from the 1st Battalion The Black Watch, with some 500 men and 50 Warrior armoured fighting vehicles.

They are accompanied by a reconnaissance unit from the mainly Welsh Queen's Dragoon Guards, with around 100 men and 12 Scimitar armoured vehicles, and a 50-strong Royal Marine light infantry unit from 40 Commando.

Support troops include engineers, logisticians, signallers and medics.