Three UK soldiers killed in Iraq](BBC NEWS | UK | Suicide attack kills UK soldiers)
British troops were controversially redeployed to Camp Dogwood
Three British troops have been killed in Iraq, the Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram has confirmed.
The deaths, as well as a number of other casualties, happened in the area patrolled by the Black Watch, but no more details have yet been released.
The 850-strong force have been attacked repeatedly since arriving at Camp Dogwood on Friday.
The troops were controversially redeployed to the base, 20 miles from Baghdad, following a US request.
Critics suggested the redeployment dragged Britain deeper into the turmoil of post-war Iraq and was part of political manoeuvring by the American government during their campaign for re-election.
Under attack
Since British Black Watch troops arrived in the area they have come under attack.
One mortar exploded at the Camp Dogwood complex early on Tuesday evening. Five other “impacts” which did not explode were also reported.
On Tuesday, Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon said he was “confident” Black Watch would be back in their base in southern Iraq within 30 days.
The battle group were sent to patrol new territory along the eastern bank of the River Euphrates in terrain that was not previously in their area of operations.
They expanded their operations in an attempt to stop rebels reaching Falluja.
On Thursday, troops were building a pontoon bridge across the river.
The group redeployed comprised three companies of armoured infantry from the 1st Battalion The Black Watch, with some 500 men and 50 Warrior armoured fighting vehicles.
They are supported by a reconnaissance unit from the largely-Welsh Queen’s Dragoon Guards, with around 100 men and 12 Scimitar armoured vehicles, and a 50-strong Royal Marine light infantry unit from 40 Commando.
The Black Watch, which traditionally recruits from Perthshire, Angus and Fife, is based in Warminster, Wiltshire.