A photograph dated November 4, 2004 shows an English translation of the Arabic leaflet, printed by the British Army, being handed out to the local people by the Black Watch battle-group as part of their 'hearts and minds' campaign during their stay at Camp Dogwood, 20 miles southwest of Baghdad. REUTERS/Maurice McDonald/Pool
Three British Soldiers Killed in Attack
By ED JOHNSON, Associated Press Writer
LONDON - Three British soldiers in the Black Watch regiment, the forces moved closer to the Iraqi capital to back up American troops, have been killed in an attack, the government said Thursday.
Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram told the House of Commons that the soldiers were part of an 850-strong unit recently redeployed from southern Iraq to the U.S.-controlled zone near Baghdad.
The British soldiers were redeployed last week to allow U.S. Marines to reposition in Anbar province, home of guerrilla strongholds of Fallujah, Ramadi, Hit and Husaybah.
The move from the relatively peaceful sector to the U.S.-controlled zone, where troops come under daily attack from insurgents, carries the risk of higher casualties and is politically sensitive for Prime Minister Tony Blair.
The three deaths bring the number of British troops killed in Iraq to 73.
Ingram told the Commons it was difficult to "establish a clear picture of events and precise details of what has happened." He did not disclose when or precisely where the attack occurred.
"I very much regret that I can confirm to the House that in an attack on British forces in the Black Watch area of operations we have suffered a number of casualties including three fatalities," the minister said.
"U.S. forces helped to provide urgent medical support at the scene of the incident, something for which I know our forces are grateful," he dded.