Soldiers stable after attacks

Three British soldiers seriously injured during protests by an angry Iraqi mob in Basra are in a stable condition today.

Fourteen troops were hurt - with some engulfed in flames - when locals in the southern Iraqi city hurled petrol bombs and grenades during demonstrations yesterday.

None of the soldiers' injuries was said to be life threatening.

Squadron Leader Jon Arnold, of the British forces headquarters in Basra, said today: "All the casualties are in a stable condition. However, we cannot comment on numbers still under hospital care."

Efforts were still being made to contact family members of the men, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said.

Witnesses reported that protesters chanted slogans denouncing the Israeli assassination of the Hamas spiritual leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin.

The demonstrators are reported to have shouted "We are all sons of Yassin", as well as voicing support for the deposed Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.

Demands for new jobs

The MoD maintained there was no evidence that the incident had links to events elsewhere and that the protests centred on demands for further jobs with the new police and security forces.

British troops fired baton rounds in self defence after trouble erupted just before 2pm local time.

Customs chief Zafer Abdel-Nabi said the crowd had marched on the local customs police headquarters demanding jobs.

One soldier was hurt during the initial protests and 13 more when an explosive device and petrol bombs exploded close to the troops.

Reports that live rounds or tear gas were used

were denied by the MoD.

The injured troops were taken to a British military hospital at Shaibah by road or helicopter.

Major Tim Smith, the British military spokesman in Basra, said: "Thankfully, none of the soldiers is in a life-threatening condition.

"I want to commend their restraint under enormous pressure in dealing with the situation with the minimum of force."

Prior to the violence, British commanders said that attacks on their troops had been decreasing in recent weeks.

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