An Islamist armed group called the Brigades of the Imam Hussein has claimed responsibility for today's roadside bomb attack on a British convoy in southern Iraq.
Two British security contractors were killed in the attack close to Basra. The authenticity of the Internet statement has yet to be verified.
A British military spokesman said no British forces were involved in the incident, which occurred on the outskirts of Basra.
The victims were from a private company called Control Risk. Two Iraqi children were also reported wounded by the blast, which damaged two vehicles in the convoy.
The convoy of four-wheel drive vehicles was driving southwest of Basra, where British forces have a large military base.
Basra, Iraq's second largest city, has been relatively calm over the past year and a half, although there are occasional outbreaks of violence.
British forces are responsible for security in the city and other towns in southern Iraq.
Meanwhile in Baghdad, a suicide car bombing at a police checkpoint has killed at least five people and wounded 20 others.
