Ananova:

Six British soldiers have died in an Iraqi ambush. They were killed by 'hostile' fire, a military spokesman said.

They died in the first of two separate attacks in which eight other soldiers were wounded, three of them seriously, said army Captain Dennis Abbott.

He declined to give further details on the first, deadly incident, saying only that the UK troops came under attack by Iraqis.

Speaking from Basra Capt Abbott says the wounded are receiving treatment. He claims UK forces are now investigating to determine whether the two incidents are related.

He says he does not know if British troops fired back after being attacked but says their rules of engagement would allow them to do so.

The two incidents occurred within a few miles of each other in Al Amarah, 80 miles north-east of Basra.

The casualties were the latest in a 24 hour period that has seen 25 attacks on US and British forces occupying Iraq.

It was the biggest daily death toll sustained by coalition forces since March 23, three days after the start of the war to topple Saddam Hussein. They are also the first significant attacks on the British since major combat was declared over on May 1.

Story filed: 18:19 Tuesday 24th June 2003

	Related stories: Iraqi leaders 'had warned of al Amarah violence' 19:52 Tuesday 24th June 2003 Six British troops killed in Iraq 16:17 Tuesday 24th June 2003 More related stories

	Check for more on: World trouble spots Iraq UK World