British Soldiers Out of Iraq

British troops on way out of Iraq

May 01, 2009 Edition 1

British forces handed over military control of Basra to US commanders yesterday, clearing the way for America's main battlefield ally to exit Iraq after more than six years of war.

The US flag rose over a British base outside Basra, the last main outpost for about 4 000 British forces in southern Iraq, who will almost all withdraw by the end of May.

At the height of combat operations after the March 2003 invasion, Britain had 46 000 troops in Iraq.

Washington still has about 130 000 troops in the country and has shifted units south ahead of the British pullout.

American troops operate alongside Iraqi soldiers who have taken over many front-line roles in the strategic Basra, the hub of British military operations for years.

"Today marks the closing chapter of the combat mission in Iraq," British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said in London after meeting Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

The Iraq war has been extremely unpopular in Britain, and the issue shadowed the final years of Tony Blair's premiership.

Since the 2003 US-led invasion, 179 British service personnel have been killed in Iraq.

As part of the preparations for withdrawal, the British military yesterday dedicated a memorial wall to those killed.

"They will always be remembered for the service they have given. Our country owes them a huge debt of gratitude," Brown said.

British commanders have been gradually handing over responsibility of the oil-rich Basra region to the US military since March and have been withdrawing troops in phases.

Nearly all British troops are expected to be withdrawn by May 31, and only 400 will remain under an agreement to train the Iraqi Navy to defend oil platforms in the Gulf.

The British pullout comes as violence in Iraq has dropped to its lowest levels since the start of the war. Recent high-profile attacks that have killed hundreds have raised concerns about whether the Iraqi military can take control. - Sapa-AP

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Sackboy said:

http://www.thestar.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=4959832

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RetroBok said:

While this is good news to a degree, I vaguely remember reading/hearing somewhere that these troops would be re-deployed to Afghanistan...

I'll see if I can find a link/article somewhere

179 U.K. lives lost.... for what exactly???

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Sackboy said:

Afghanistan has become a big problem, so that's expected. However, it leaves the US exposed in Iraq, which will simmer for eternity IMHO. With Iran problems looming, will attention now turn to them I wonder. We know that the US has been reluctant to open a 3rd front, but with some stability returning to Iraq, the possibility of a new offensive is real.

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RetroBok said:

While this is good news to a degree, I vaguely remember reading/hearing somewhere that these troops would be re-deployed to Afghanistan...
179 U.K. lives lost.... for what exactly???

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Mephisto_Helix said:

The Taliban pose a global threat (not to mention that I think the Afghanistan government requested the help) ....... Zim, not so much.

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