Military case: latest British soldier casualty in Basra named

A British soldier who died after an operation in the southern Iraqi city of Basra has been named by the MoD.

Sergeant Jonathan Hollingsworth of the Parachute Regiment was injured while carrying out a "search and detention" operation. He was shot during the manoeuvre and was taken to a nearby military hospital, where he later died.

Defence Secretary Des Browne said he "did not die in vain" as the operation detained people "known to attack both civilian and military personnel".

The death takes the total number of UK troops killed in operations in Iraq to 126. Four soldiers were killed in Basra City on 12 November. A Ministry of Defence spokeswoman said about 200 troops have been involved in the planned operation to detain "individuals suspected of criminal activity".

An MoD statement said: "Sgt Hollingsworth sustained gunshot wounds during the operation and was evacuated to a nearby military hospital. Despite the best possible medical care, he later died from his injuries."

On Wednesday, Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett told MPs that it might be possible to hand Basra's security to Iraqi forces "at some point next spring". Mrs Beckett made it clear that the handover was not definite, saying that to leave too early would make the bloodshed "even worse". The Foreign Office later said this did not mean all UK troops would be leaving.

The UK has 7,200 troops in the south of Iraq, mostly stationed in and around Basra.

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