The British Ministry of Defense confirmed on Monday that the soldier found
dead at a British military base in southern Iraqi city of Basra turned out to be
a female service personnel.
According to the ministry, Staff Sergeant Denise Rose's body was found at the
British base at the Shatt al-Arab hotel in Basra on Sunday.
Her death made the first female military fatality for Britain since the
country joined the US-led war against Iraq in last March.
"The investigation into her death is ongoing, but it is not believed to be
the result of any hostile act," the ministry said in a statement.
Earlier reports said the 34-year-old soldier was a member of the Royal
Military Police's Special Investigation Branch.
Her death brought to 70 the number of British troops who have died Iraq since
the war broke out.
Britain has positioned about 9,000 troops in Iraq, most of themare within the
area of Basra.
