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03/09/2007
British Troops Pull Out Of Basra Palace
The final withdrawal of British troops from Basra Palace in Iraq is almost complete, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed.
The UK troops will hand over control of the palace to the Iraqi army and the MoD said that handover is expected to be completed within a few days.
The 550 troops stationed at the palace will now join the remaining 5,000 UK soldiers stationed in the base at Basra Air Station.
A statement issued by the MoD on Sunday night said: 'Handing over Basra Palace to the Iraqi authorities has long been our intention, as we have stated publicly on numerous occasions. We will announce when the palace has been handed over once the operation is complete.
"The Iraqi security forces want to take full responsibility for their own security and the handover is a step towards that goal."
The MoD said that UK forces would retain security responsibility for Basra until it was handed over to provincial Iraqi control, which is now expected in the autumn.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4's 'Today' programme on Monday, Prime Minister Gordon Brown stressed that the withdrawal was "pre-planned and organised" and that troops would assume an "overwatch" role, but could "re-intervene" if necessary.
He added that any change in the overall number of British troops in Iraq would "depend on the assessment of commanders on the ground over the coming weeks and months".
(KMcA/SP)
The UK troops will hand over control of the palace to the Iraqi army and the MoD said that handover is expected to be completed within a few days.
The 550 troops stationed at the palace will now join the remaining 5,000 UK soldiers stationed in the base at Basra Air Station.
A statement issued by the MoD on Sunday night said: 'Handing over Basra Palace to the Iraqi authorities has long been our intention, as we have stated publicly on numerous occasions. We will announce when the palace has been handed over once the operation is complete.
"The Iraqi security forces want to take full responsibility for their own security and the handover is a step towards that goal."
The MoD said that UK forces would retain security responsibility for Basra until it was handed over to provincial Iraqi control, which is now expected in the autumn.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4's 'Today' programme on Monday, Prime Minister Gordon Brown stressed that the withdrawal was "pre-planned and organised" and that troops would assume an "overwatch" role, but could "re-intervene" if necessary.
He added that any change in the overall number of British troops in Iraq would "depend on the assessment of commanders on the ground over the coming weeks and months".
(KMcA/SP)
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10 September 2007
US Delayed Withdrawal Of British Troops
Britain's withdrawal of its troops from Basra was delayed by five months because of political pressure from the United States for them to stay, according to the UK's top military commander in Iraq. Brigadier James Bashall, the commander of 1 Mechanised Brigade, said that quitting the city in April would have been the "right thing to do".
US Delayed Withdrawal Of British Troops
Britain's withdrawal of its troops from Basra was delayed by five months because of political pressure from the United States for them to stay, according to the UK's top military commander in Iraq. Brigadier James Bashall, the commander of 1 Mechanised Brigade, said that quitting the city in April would have been the "right thing to do".
30 April 2009
UK Troops Honoured As Combat Operations End In Iraq
The Defence Secretary, John Hutton, has attended a memorial service in Basra to honour the 179 British personnel killed during the six-year conflict in Iraq. Mr Hutton took part in the ceremony at the memorial wall in front of 20th Armoured Brigade headquarters on the main coalition military base in Basra.
UK Troops Honoured As Combat Operations End In Iraq
The Defence Secretary, John Hutton, has attended a memorial service in Basra to honour the 179 British personnel killed during the six-year conflict in Iraq. Mr Hutton took part in the ceremony at the memorial wall in front of 20th Armoured Brigade headquarters on the main coalition military base in Basra.
15 August 2008
British Force Reductions As Iraq Security Improves
There is to be a reduction in UK troops in Iraq, according to a leading military figure. Major General Barney White-Spunner, who has returned to London this week after six months commanding British Forces in Iraq said security was now "so good" that soldiers could "stop and eat kebabs on the city's streets".
British Force Reductions As Iraq Security Improves
There is to be a reduction in UK troops in Iraq, according to a leading military figure. Major General Barney White-Spunner, who has returned to London this week after six months commanding British Forces in Iraq said security was now "so good" that soldiers could "stop and eat kebabs on the city's streets".
22 February 2005
Australia to send more troops to Iraq
Australian Prime Minister John Howard has announced plans to send more Australian troops to Iraq. Speaking in Canberra today, Mr Howard announced that an extra 450 Australian troops will be sent to Iraq, to protect Japanese engineers working in the al-Muthanna province in the south of the country.
Australia to send more troops to Iraq
Australian Prime Minister John Howard has announced plans to send more Australian troops to Iraq. Speaking in Canberra today, Mr Howard announced that an extra 450 Australian troops will be sent to Iraq, to protect Japanese engineers working in the al-Muthanna province in the south of the country.
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.
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