British soldier killed in southern Iraq

BASRA / IraqiNews.com: A British soldier was found dead on Thursday, a spokesman for the British troops in southern Iraq said on Friday, adding investigations are underway to unravel his mysterious death. “The soldier, from the British army’s 9th air division, was found dead of a gun shot,” Maj. Bill Young told IraqiNews.com. He said there was noting indicating whether it was enemy or friendly fire. Asked whether it was possible the soldier has committed a suicide, Young replied that the incident was being investigated. Britain retains 4,100 troops, stationed in the British base at the Basra International Airport, 25 km in the northwestern part of the city, after they withdrew from the presidential palaces in September 2009. The oil-rich port city of Basra lies 590 km south of the Iraqi capital Baghdad. AmR (P) 1