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09/04/2003
British forces begin law and order role in Basra
British troops are gearing up to take on a different type of role in Basra as fighting ends and looting spreads across the city.
Coalition forces are to seek a non-military solution in the region by holding a regional conference aimed at restoring political leadership southern region of Iraq.
British forces have recently become more involved in efforts to reduce the looting of Basra, which appeared to initially centre on the dismantling of former Ba’ath party and regime infrastructure and buildings.
A military spokesman confirmed that British troops had moved in to foil an attempted bank raid.
Group Captain Al Lockwood said that under international law an “occupying force” had an obligation to help ensure that there was law and order in the region.
He said that although a lot of local police had disappeared the British contingent in Basra were making every effort to enlist the remnants of the city’s police force to assist them to restore law and order and protect people’s lives and property.
It is reported that a Shia cleric has come forward and is prepared to lead a representative committee of groups in the Basra area.
However scenes in Basra remain chaotic. There is a water shortage and looters are disrupting efforts to supply humanitarian aid to the city’s population.
Reports from Basra indicate that officers on the ground remain concerned that the last elements of resistance may not be completely suppressed and that they cannot be expected to act as a police force and arrest all looters.
(SP)
Coalition forces are to seek a non-military solution in the region by holding a regional conference aimed at restoring political leadership southern region of Iraq.
British forces have recently become more involved in efforts to reduce the looting of Basra, which appeared to initially centre on the dismantling of former Ba’ath party and regime infrastructure and buildings.
A military spokesman confirmed that British troops had moved in to foil an attempted bank raid.
Group Captain Al Lockwood said that under international law an “occupying force” had an obligation to help ensure that there was law and order in the region.
He said that although a lot of local police had disappeared the British contingent in Basra were making every effort to enlist the remnants of the city’s police force to assist them to restore law and order and protect people’s lives and property.
It is reported that a Shia cleric has come forward and is prepared to lead a representative committee of groups in the Basra area.
However scenes in Basra remain chaotic. There is a water shortage and looters are disrupting efforts to supply humanitarian aid to the city’s population.
Reports from Basra indicate that officers on the ground remain concerned that the last elements of resistance may not be completely suppressed and that they cannot be expected to act as a police force and arrest all looters.
(SP)
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08 September 2003
British contingent sent to join forces in Basra
At the weekend, 120 soldiers in Cyprus - from the Second Battalion of The Lght Infantry - were sent to Basra from RAF Akrotiri. As was widely anticpated Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon has announced today that 2,200 British troops will be sent to Iraq to bolster military operations there, following a review of security operations in Iraq.
British contingent sent to join forces in Basra
At the weekend, 120 soldiers in Cyprus - from the Second Battalion of The Lght Infantry - were sent to Basra from RAF Akrotiri. As was widely anticpated Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon has announced today that 2,200 British troops will be sent to Iraq to bolster military operations there, following a review of security operations in Iraq.
04 April 2003
British forces tighten grip around Basra
British forces have tightened their grip around Iraq's second largest city, Basra, after another foray into the enemy stronghold today. Journalists embedded with the British vanguard report that the Desert Rats and elements of the Irish Guards advanced to four miles of the city's centre following the operation.
British forces tighten grip around Basra
British forces have tightened their grip around Iraq's second largest city, Basra, after another foray into the enemy stronghold today. Journalists embedded with the British vanguard report that the Desert Rats and elements of the Irish Guards advanced to four miles of the city's centre following the operation.
22 September 2005
Basra Governor seeks 'compensation' for jail raid
The Governor of Basra has withdrawn co-operation with British forces until an apology is made for a raid on a jail and compensation is paid. Last Monday British forces mounted an operation to free two SAS soldiers who had been detained following a shooting incident in Basra in which one man was allegedly killed and a second wounded.
Basra Governor seeks 'compensation' for jail raid
The Governor of Basra has withdrawn co-operation with British forces until an apology is made for a raid on a jail and compensation is paid. Last Monday British forces mounted an operation to free two SAS soldiers who had been detained following a shooting incident in Basra in which one man was allegedly killed and a second wounded.
31 March 2009
Britain Hands Basra Over To US Troops
British troops have begun their official withdraw from Iraq today as Basra was formally handed to the US army. In a handover ceremony, attended by the head of Britain's armed forces, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, and US General Ray Odierno, a British military pennant was symbolically raised and lowered over the southern Iraq town.
Britain Hands Basra Over To US Troops
British troops have begun their official withdraw from Iraq today as Basra was formally handed to the US army. In a handover ceremony, attended by the head of Britain's armed forces, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, and US General Ray Odierno, a British military pennant was symbolically raised and lowered over the southern Iraq town.
01 April 2008
British Troop Withdrawal From Iraq 'Unlikely'
The Defence Secretary Des Browne is expected to tell the Commons that there are currently no plans to reduce the number of British troops in Iraq. Ambitious plans to decrease the number of soldiers from 4,100 may have been withdrawn, sparked by recent fighting in Basra, the BBC has reported.
British Troop Withdrawal From Iraq 'Unlikely'
The Defence Secretary Des Browne is expected to tell the Commons that there are currently no plans to reduce the number of British troops in Iraq. Ambitious plans to decrease the number of soldiers from 4,100 may have been withdrawn, sparked by recent fighting in Basra, the BBC has reported.
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