Mob violence after bomb kills UK troops

Mob violence after bomb kills UK troops
GETHIN CHAMBERLAIN
CHIEF NEWS CORRESPONDENT

Key points
• New low in civilians relation with army as roadside bomb kill two soldiers
• Attack located in Al Amarah in Maysan province, scene of notorious video
• British death toll in Iraq now stands at 103, with several hundred injured

Key quote
"It is with deep regret that I can confirm the death of two British soldiers, killed by a terrorist bomb as they carried out their duties in south-east Iraq this morning" - JOHN REID, DEFENCE SECRETARY

Story in full
RELATIONS between UK forces and locals in southern Iraq reached a new low yesterday as two British soldiers were killed and another was injured by a roadside bomb.

The bomb was detonated next to a Land Rover patrol in the town of Al Amarah in Maysan province, scene of the notorious video of British soldiers beating up Iraqi rioters two years ago.

Two soldiers attached to the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards battle group died in the blast and one was hurt. After the three were flown out by helicopter, British troops maintaining a cordon around the scene of the bombing came under attack from a stone-throwing mob.

The attack on the British patrol came on a day of carnage across Iraq - five bombs rocked the capital, Baghdad, killing dozens of people.

British commanders had feared that the News of the World's decision to publish pictures taken from the video would inflame tensions in the area and further endanger the lives of British troops.

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http://news.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=309612006