June 24 — Six British soldiers were killed Tuesday when they were attacked in southern Iraq by unknown assailants, the British government said. Earlier, U.S. forces came under a string of attacks in Baghdad and other parts of central Iraq and at least one Iraqi was killed in the fighting, officials said.
“WE HAD A patrol on the ground that came under fire and a quick reaction force helicopter was sent out to their assistance,” a Defense Ministry spokeswoman said on condition of anonymity.
Later, Reuters reported a British government spokesman saying that six personnel were killed in the incident.
British soldiers have controlled Basra, Iraq’s second city, for several weeks and patrol the city without helmets and flak jackets....
