Three British troops injured in blast in southern Iraq

[Barrett808]

LONDON (AFP) - Three British soldiers were injured near the southern Iraqi city of Basra when their vehicle was hit by an explosive device, Britain's defence ministry said.

"There were three casualties and an improvised explosive device which hit one of our vehicles," said a Ministry of Defence spokeswoman in London.

The explosion followed a spate of clashes involving coalition troops serving in Iraq's second city of Basra and came the day after another three British soldiers were injured when they were attacked by stone-throwing locals.

The troops were caught up in angry scenes as they tried to evict illegal squatters from a government building.

Last week, 14 British soldiers were hurt when grenades and petrol bombs were thrown at them during a demonstration.

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