The first International Red Cross convoy carrying medical supplies today reached Basra, the charity said.

British forces in southern Iraq found 56 missiles and four launchers, removing a “significant threat” from Saddam Hussein’s armoury, military officials said.

US Marines today shot dead an unarmed Iraqi at a checkpoint hours after seven women and children were killed by American troops who fired at a van which failed to stop in southern Iraq.

TWO Kenyan truck drivers kidnapped 10 days ago outside the town of Al Zubayr were rescued yesterday when British troops burst into the school in which they were being been held.

Two Kenyan truck drivers taken hostage by a gang of Saddam Hussein’s brutal militiamen were freed by British soldiers, it emerged today.

British soldiers delivering humanitarian rations have seized six suspected militiamen with money and guns believed to have been used to force Iraqis to fight, they revealed today.

The first aid shipment was finally due to arrive in Iraq tomorrow amid mounting concern about a humanitarian crisis.

BRITISH Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon and grieving relatives yesterday paid tribute to two British soldiers killed by “friendly fire” during a night-time battle in southern Iraq.

THE bodies of two British soldiers were yesterday shown on Arabic satellite TV network al-Jazeera.

THE British Army is investigating claims that a man from Manchester who was fighting for Saddam Hussein near Basra has been detained by British forces and is being held in a prisoner of war camp in Southern Iraq.

Britain's Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon expressed regret today over the “tragic” deaths of two British soldiers whose tank was mistaken for Iraqi armour and destroyed by “friendly fire“.

TRIBUTES were paid yesterday to the second British soldier known to have died in combat in Iraq.

ABOUT 20 of Saddam Hussein’s henchmen were killed and a key party official captured in a daring night-time raid by British forces in southern Iraq.

The population of Iraq’s second city was tonight attempting to throw off the shackles of Saddam Hussein’s regime, according to reports.

A member of Saddam Hussein’s ruling Baath Party was captured by British forces in a raid at Al Zubayr last night.

A British soldier was killed in action near Al Zubayr in southern Iraq last night, military sources said.

BRITISH Prime Minister Tony Blair last night said coalition forces were preparing for “a crucial moment” when they take on the Medina Division of Saddam Hussein’s Republican Guard in the battle for Baghdad.

British forces in the Gulf suffered their first known combat death today and two other soldiers were missing in action, military sources said.