YESTERDAY'S devastating series of explosions which left 68 people dead and 238 injured in the southern Iraqi city of Basra were swiftly linked with al-Qaida.

Iraqi insurgents targeted the British run city of Basra today killing at least 55 people, including ten children on their way to schools, in a series of bomb blasts.

At least 55 people were killed today and 238 injured – including four British soldiers – after a series of explosions in the southern Iraqi city of Basra.