THREE British soldiers have been wounded in a rocket attack on their base near Basra today.

An Army spokesman said multiple rockets were apparently launched from the city, which is about 12 miles away, although he said the attack was still being investigated.

Three British soldiers were slightly wounded, but no major damage was reported on the base.

“The only people that are suffering because of these attacks are the people of Basra,” he said.

“These attacks are delaying the development of Basra and the prosperity of the people. Without security and stability there will be limited foreign investment, investment that will speed up development of Basra.”

Basra is Iraq’s second-largest city, about 350 miles south-east of Baghdad.

British forces turned over control of the city and the surrounding province late last year despite concerns about increased rivalries between Shiite militias that are engaged in a violent power struggle in the oil-rich area.

But troops remain at a base at the airport outside the city and sporadic attacks against them continue, although the numbers have fallen dramatically since the handover.

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