Up to fourteen civilians were killed after missiles hit a market in Baghdad, Iraqi authorities are claiming.

The market is thought to have been hit by two cruise missiles earlier today, with Reuters saying correspondents have seen burned and charred bodies at the scene.

In other developments, two British soldiers were killed when their tank was hit by fire from another British tank, during fierce fighing near Basra yesterday.

The deaths came on the same day British forces fired into Basra, following reports of a civilian uprising in the southern Iraqi city.

The soldiers killed after their Challenger II was struck were named as Corporal Stephen John Allbutt, 35, from Stoke-on-Trent, and Trooper David Jeffrey Clarke, 19, from Littleworth, Stafford.

Military sources said it appeared target identification technology intended to prevent such 'friendly fire' tragedies had failed, and the incident would be subject to full investigation.

Iraqi television in Baghdad was hit by bombers and cruise misiles last night, in an attempt to weaken the hold of the Saddam regime.

Although the broadcasting centre itself lies in ruins this morning, Iraqi television has managed to get back on the air with a restricted service.

Lorry loads of rations and bottles of fresh water have been distributed to Iraqi civilians in the outskirts of Basra, and there were the first signs of welcome for the coalition forces, as Iraqis began to feel confident enough to defy the regime of Saddam Hussein.

Reports of a popular uprising filtered out of Basra when Iraqi army mortars were detected firing on targets towards the centre of the city, miles from any coalition forces.

This morning coalition air and ground forces have been engaging elements of the Iraqi army moving north out of Basra.

Saddam's grip on Baghdad remains unshaken.