British troops are braced for danger mission

British troops are being prepared for their most dangerous mission yet in Iraq under plans to seize back control of the flashpoint city of Najaf.

Up to 3,000 men, including 800 Royal Marine commandos and Special Boat Service units, will be deployed to replace the Spanish forces pulled out last week.

The city has been in the grip of Shia Muslim uprisings led by Moqtada al-Sadr and the reinforcements' main task will be to regain control without triggering more violence.

It was claimed today that Tony Blair has been warned the troops could face large casualties. Military chiefs are wary that recent photos of alleged abuse by British soldiers have put them in even greater danger.

Taunton-based 40 Commando is expected to spearhead the action next week, but military sources claim plans are being finalised for even bigger reinforcements in the rest of Iraq's south. One source said a deployment could more than double the 7,500 British troops. The soldiers would take over positions vacated by the Spanish troops in Najaf and bolster Polish divisional headquarters north of the city.