BASRA, Aug 29: A blast went off near the entrance to the British forces headquarters in Iraq’s main southern city of Basra Friday night, an eyewtiness said.

The explosion wrecked two cars about 100 metres from the main gate of the British army’s headquarters but there were no injuries.

The blast occurred on the banks of the Shatt al-Arab waterway that runs along the base, which is housed in a former palace of Saddam Hussein.

“It was a grenade, they threw it because the people sit on the bank and drink alcohol,” said eyewitness Mohamed Hussein.

Another witness, Hassan Ali, said the bomb was thrown from a passing car.

Major Charlie Mayo, the British army’s spokesman, said there had been a “small explosion” and the incident was under investigation.

“At around 9.30pm (1730 GMT), a small explosion was reported to the north of the barracks in Basra. There are no indications of coalition or Iraqi casualties,” Mayo said.

A British soldier was killed and another wounded in southeastern Iraq on Wednesday when a convoy of troops were attacked by a mob after they arrested two locals, one of them a prominent opponent of Saddam.

The latest death brought to 11 the number of British soldiers killed in Iraq since Washington declared major combat over on May 1.

This past month, British forces occupying southern Iraq have faced a series of attacks in Maysan province and four deaths in Basra, as well as riots over fuel and electricity shortages. —AFP