They said US and UK forces used guided weapons to attack an Iraqi missile base, which is only 100 metres away from people's homes.

Iraqi officials say 14 people were killed, and another 30 injured, when the market was attacked by missiles on Wednesday afternoon.

Investigation

However, American defence bosses later said they had not fired any missiles or bombs anywhere near the district of the marketplace.

It's thought the Iraqi troops were either planning an attack to regain some of the captured ground, or they were heading out of the city because of another possible uprising.

There were reports of Iraqi civilians staging an uprising against Saddam Hussain on Tuesday night, but details are still unclear.

Other main points

• Seven trucks full of food aid from Kuwait have arrived in the port of Umm Qasr, according to news agency Reuters.
• British Prime Minister Tony Blair is flying to the US later on Wednesday to discuss how the war is going with President Bush