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15/08/2008
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".
Maj Gen White-Spunner said there was obvious "scope" for the UK Government to review troop numbers.
"The change in Basra is really very marked. As Iraq gets better and better, it will allow force reductions," he said.
The outgoing commander said that Christians and Sunni Muslims were also returning to the city and that he was confident the militias would not regain control and there was an "overwhelming feeling of optimism" in Basra.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown told MPs before the summer recess the 4,100 UK troops currently serving in Iraq would stay "for the next few months".
Mr Brown also said that there has been a "marked improvement" in conditions in Basra and the focus of the British armed forces was to "complete the task of training and mentoring the 14th Division of the Iraqi Army".
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said that although it was hoped the UK military presence would decrease "significantly" in the future, it was "too early" to discuss the "size and shape of a reduced UK forces' footprint".
He added that the change of the mission would be based on factors including the conditions on the ground and the plans of coalition partners.
The spokesman also said that the US was "fully supportive" of the UK's current position and proposals.
Britain had planned to cut troops to 2,500 by the start of this year, but a resurgence of violence in Basra late last year meant plans had to be put on hold.
Maj Gen White-Spunner says that Iraq's security forces have estimated there are barely 1,500 hardcore militants left in the city, out of a population of nearly three million.
See: British Troop Withdrawal From Iraq 'Unlikely'
(DS)
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".
Maj Gen White-Spunner said there was obvious "scope" for the UK Government to review troop numbers.
"The change in Basra is really very marked. As Iraq gets better and better, it will allow force reductions," he said.
The outgoing commander said that Christians and Sunni Muslims were also returning to the city and that he was confident the militias would not regain control and there was an "overwhelming feeling of optimism" in Basra.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown told MPs before the summer recess the 4,100 UK troops currently serving in Iraq would stay "for the next few months".
Mr Brown also said that there has been a "marked improvement" in conditions in Basra and the focus of the British armed forces was to "complete the task of training and mentoring the 14th Division of the Iraqi Army".
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said that although it was hoped the UK military presence would decrease "significantly" in the future, it was "too early" to discuss the "size and shape of a reduced UK forces' footprint".
He added that the change of the mission would be based on factors including the conditions on the ground and the plans of coalition partners.
The spokesman also said that the US was "fully supportive" of the UK's current position and proposals.
Britain had planned to cut troops to 2,500 by the start of this year, but a resurgence of violence in Basra late last year meant plans had to be put on hold.
Maj Gen White-Spunner says that Iraq's security forces have estimated there are barely 1,500 hardcore militants left in the city, out of a population of nearly three million.
See: British Troop Withdrawal From Iraq 'Unlikely'
(DS)
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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.
19 July 2004
British soldier dies in Basrah helicopter crash
A British soldier has died after an RAF helicopter crashed in southern Iraq today. The MoD confirmed that the soldier was killed in "an accident" involving an RAF Puma helicopter at Basrah International Airport. Two other British military personnel were injured during the incident.
British soldier dies in Basrah helicopter crash
A British soldier has died after an RAF helicopter crashed in southern Iraq today. The MoD confirmed that the soldier was killed in "an accident" involving an RAF Puma helicopter at Basrah International Airport. Two other British military personnel were injured during the incident.
30 June 2010
No Human Rights' Protection For Troops
Human rights protection does not apply to British troops involved in conflict - that's according to the Supreme Court that has ruled that UK soldiers are not protected by human rights laws on the battlefield.
No Human Rights' Protection For Troops
Human rights protection does not apply to British troops involved in conflict - that's according to the Supreme Court that has ruled that UK soldiers are not protected by human rights laws on the battlefield.
10 August 2006
UK troops in Iraq 'ill-equipped', MPs claim
British troops fighting in Iraq are under-equipped and overstretched, a committee of MPs has claimed. A report by the all-party Defence Committee said that soldiers needed better-protected patrol vehicles in order to protect them them from roadside bombs, as well as more helicopters.
UK troops in Iraq 'ill-equipped', MPs claim
British troops fighting in Iraq are under-equipped and overstretched, a committee of MPs has claimed. A report by the all-party Defence Committee said that soldiers needed better-protected patrol vehicles in order to protect them them from roadside bombs, as well as more helicopters.
08 February 2006
Reid suggests UK troops could soon leave Iraq
Defence Secretary John Reid has suggested that UK troops could begin withdrawing from Iraq this year. In a speech to the Foreign Press Association in London yesterday, Mr Reid said that the "time is approaching" when coalition forces could begin leaving Iraq. However, he stressed that the government would not "cut and run".
Reid suggests UK troops could soon leave Iraq
Defence Secretary John Reid has suggested that UK troops could begin withdrawing from Iraq this year. In a speech to the Foreign Press Association in London yesterday, Mr Reid said that the "time is approaching" when coalition forces could begin leaving Iraq. However, he stressed that the government would not "cut and run".
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