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22/08/2006
Britain 'could halve Iraq troops'
Britain may reduce the number of troops in Iraq by around half, after handing over control in Basra to Iraqis within the next nine months, a senior British commander has said.
The commander, who was not named, told reporters that the move would leave between 3,000 and 4,000 British troops in the south of the country.
He said that the handover could take place in the first quarter of 2007, depending on the tactical plan and competence of the Iraqi army. However, he said that it was "perfectly feasible" that the handover could take place.
The commander told reporters that it would leave "quite significantly smaller force than we've got now but probably in the region of 3,000 to 4,000 people based in a single location".
There are currently over 7,000 British troops in the south of Iraq, mainly in the Basra area.
Last month, British forces handed over responsibility for al Muthanna - one of the four provinces they were responsible in the region.
(KMcA)
The commander, who was not named, told reporters that the move would leave between 3,000 and 4,000 British troops in the south of the country.
He said that the handover could take place in the first quarter of 2007, depending on the tactical plan and competence of the Iraqi army. However, he said that it was "perfectly feasible" that the handover could take place.
The commander told reporters that it would leave "quite significantly smaller force than we've got now but probably in the region of 3,000 to 4,000 people based in a single location".
There are currently over 7,000 British troops in the south of Iraq, mainly in the Basra area.
Last month, British forces handed over responsibility for al Muthanna - one of the four provinces they were responsible in the region.
(KMcA)
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13 May 2004
Daily Mirror abuse photos 'not taken in Iraq'
Controversial pictures published by the Daily Mirror which purported to depict the alleged abuse of Iraqi detainees by British soldiers were "categorically not taken in Iraq", the Commons was told today.
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26 February 2007
Extra troops announced for Afghanistan
The UK is to send around 1,400 additional troops to southern Afghanistan, Defence Secretary Des Browne has announced. This additional force will bring the total number of UK forces in Afghanistan to around 7,700. The British troops are part of a larger Nato force.
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28 February 2012
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24 June 2003
Six British troops die in southern Iraq
Six British soldiers have been killed and eight more wounded in two separate actions in southern Iraq today. The MoD has confirmed that there were two incidents near Al Amarah - about 125 miles north of Basra - today which resulted in British casualties.
Six British troops die in southern Iraq
Six British soldiers have been killed and eight more wounded in two separate actions in southern Iraq today. The MoD has confirmed that there were two incidents near Al Amarah - about 125 miles north of Basra - today which resulted in British casualties.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A cloudy day with a little light rain or drizzle at times, but some spells of drier weather too. The north coast may become somewhat brighter later this afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:Cloudy and patchy light rain will slowly clear away this evening. Then the rest of the night will be dry with broken cloud. Westerly winds freshening in the early hours. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
