Monday, September 10, 2007
250 British troops to leave Iraq in four weeks
Military
(The Observer) - Britain's military deployment in southern Iraq is to be cut by 500 to 5,000 over the next few months, the Ministry of Defence announced yesterday, just six days after British troops withdrew from their base at Basra Palace. A battle group of 250 men from the King's Royal Hussars have been told they will be returning early to the UK within four weeks. Further reductions will be implemented in the coming months.
The MoD said that yesterday's announcement was part of a long-standing plan outlined in July when the Defence Secretary Des Browne said that troop numbers would be cut to 5,000 once Basra Palace was successfully handed over to Iraqi authorities. British troops are now based at Basra airport.
An MoD spokesman said: 'This morning, the Kings Royal Hussars Battle Group - approximately 250 men - were told that as part of these reductions, their tour is being cut short and they will return to the UK over the course of the next four weeks. The remaining reductions will be achieved in the coming months as part of ongoing manpower reviews. Achieving these reductions has long been our stated aim.'
The troop reduction announcement came as a key British figure in Iraq told how he chatted with 'furious' UK-born Muslims who had travelled to the Middle East to join the insurgency against British and American troops. Canon Andrew White, a close colleague of the ex-Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey, said he spoke to the men from the West Midlands who were on their way to Baghdad to target US soldiers.
The MoD said that yesterday's announcement was part of a long-standing plan outlined in July when the Defence Secretary Des Browne said that troop numbers would be cut to 5,000 once Basra Palace was successfully handed over to Iraqi authorities. British troops are now based at Basra airport.
An MoD spokesman said: 'This morning, the Kings Royal Hussars Battle Group - approximately 250 men - were told that as part of these reductions, their tour is being cut short and they will return to the UK over the course of the next four weeks. The remaining reductions will be achieved in the coming months as part of ongoing manpower reviews. Achieving these reductions has long been our stated aim.'
The troop reduction announcement came as a key British figure in Iraq told how he chatted with 'furious' UK-born Muslims who had travelled to the Middle East to join the insurgency against British and American troops. Canon Andrew White, a close colleague of the ex-Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey, said he spoke to the men from the West Midlands who were on their way to Baghdad to target US soldiers.
Labels: Basra, British troop withdrawal, King's Royal Hussars, Ministry of Defence
Monday, September 03, 2007
British troops withdraw from Basra
Security
(AP) - Iraqi soldiers hoisted the nation's flag over the Basra palace compound Monday after British troops withdrew from their last garrison in the city, a move that will hand control to an Iraqi force riddled with Shiite militiamen. A British statement said the operation began at 10 p.m. Sunday "with all British troops arriving at the airport by midday" Monday.
"There were no clashes or attacks on British forces during the operation. The formal handing-over of the Palaces will happen in the near future," British spokesman Maj. Matthew Bird said. The departure of most of the remaining 500-member British force from the palace left the nation's second largest city without any multinational presence for the first time since the U.S.-led invasion of 2003.
"We told those (militias) who were fighting the British troops that the Iraqi forces are now in the palaces," Lt. Gen. Mohan al-Fireji, the Iraqi commander in the area. He said the last of the British force left about 4:30 a.m.
British vehicles rumbled out of the gates of the sprawling compound after dark Sunday headed for the Basra international airport, about 12 miles away. It is Britain's last remaining base in southern Iraq.
U.S. officials have raised concerns about the prospect of British troops leaving the city, which has seen rival armed militia groups, some linked to Iran, battling for control. The city controls a key land supply line from Kuwait to Baghdad and farther north, and is also near important oil fields. In London, Prime Minister Gordon Brown disputed claims that the redeployment marks a British "defeat" and said the move to the airport had been planned and organized.
The Basra palace had come under near daily rocket and mortar fire from Shiite militias until the British released about 30 gunmen a few months ago and spread the word that they would soon leave. Over the past years, Britain's ability to control events in Basra waned as the militias rose in power. People on the streets of Basra cheered the departure of the British.
Following the collapse of Saddam Hussein's rule, Britain controlled security across southern Iraq, but has since handed over most of the territory to Iraqi forces. Britain's Ministry of Defense said it hoped to hand security responsibility for Basra, the last remaining province, over to Iraqi forces sometime this autumn.
Brown has consistently refused to set a timetable for the overall withdrawal of British troops from the country, but the long anticipated pullout from the downtown palace will give the British government the option to pull out more than 500 soldiers immediately.
Ex-leader Tony Blair's decision to cut troops numbers in Iraq from 7,000 to 5,500 in February included an option of pulling out the soldiers based in the Basra palace once it was handed back to the Iraqis. Britain's Defense Ministry said in a statement that U.S. officials had been consulted over the plan, and offered assurances that there was still a large enough British presence in the area to provide security. "The decision is an Iraqi-led initiative and is part of a coalition-endorsed process," the ministry said.
British forces will operate from Basra Air Station, but "retain security responsibility for Basra until we hand over to provincial Iraqi control, which we anticipate in the autumn," the statement said.
"There were no clashes or attacks on British forces during the operation. The formal handing-over of the Palaces will happen in the near future," British spokesman Maj. Matthew Bird said. The departure of most of the remaining 500-member British force from the palace left the nation's second largest city without any multinational presence for the first time since the U.S.-led invasion of 2003.
"We told those (militias) who were fighting the British troops that the Iraqi forces are now in the palaces," Lt. Gen. Mohan al-Fireji, the Iraqi commander in the area. He said the last of the British force left about 4:30 a.m.
British vehicles rumbled out of the gates of the sprawling compound after dark Sunday headed for the Basra international airport, about 12 miles away. It is Britain's last remaining base in southern Iraq.
U.S. officials have raised concerns about the prospect of British troops leaving the city, which has seen rival armed militia groups, some linked to Iran, battling for control. The city controls a key land supply line from Kuwait to Baghdad and farther north, and is also near important oil fields. In London, Prime Minister Gordon Brown disputed claims that the redeployment marks a British "defeat" and said the move to the airport had been planned and organized.
The Basra palace had come under near daily rocket and mortar fire from Shiite militias until the British released about 30 gunmen a few months ago and spread the word that they would soon leave. Over the past years, Britain's ability to control events in Basra waned as the militias rose in power. People on the streets of Basra cheered the departure of the British.
Following the collapse of Saddam Hussein's rule, Britain controlled security across southern Iraq, but has since handed over most of the territory to Iraqi forces. Britain's Ministry of Defense said it hoped to hand security responsibility for Basra, the last remaining province, over to Iraqi forces sometime this autumn.
Brown has consistently refused to set a timetable for the overall withdrawal of British troops from the country, but the long anticipated pullout from the downtown palace will give the British government the option to pull out more than 500 soldiers immediately.
Ex-leader Tony Blair's decision to cut troops numbers in Iraq from 7,000 to 5,500 in February included an option of pulling out the soldiers based in the Basra palace once it was handed back to the Iraqis. Britain's Defense Ministry said in a statement that U.S. officials had been consulted over the plan, and offered assurances that there was still a large enough British presence in the area to provide security. "The decision is an Iraqi-led initiative and is part of a coalition-endorsed process," the ministry said.
British forces will operate from Basra Air Station, but "retain security responsibility for Basra until we hand over to provincial Iraqi control, which we anticipate in the autumn," the statement said.
Labels: Basra, Basra Air Station, British troop withdrawal, Gordon Brown, Iran, Lt. Gen. Mohan al-Fireji, Maj. Matthew Bird, militias
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
As the British leave Basra the militias take over
Security
(Christian Science Monitor) - The last contingent of British soldiers based in the center of Basra will leave by Friday, says a senior Iraqi security official, adding that a deal has been struck with leaders of Moqtada al-Sadr's Mahdi Army to ensure their safe departure. As they pull back to a base outside Basra, the British will leave a vital provincial capital in the throes of a turf battle between Shiite factions – one that Mr. Sadr's militia appears to be winning.
"By the end of August, there will be no presence for British forces at the palace or at the joint coordination center. Both will be in the hands of the Iraqi government," says the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the matter. "I think it's best if they leave, because they did nothing to stop the militias, which were formed in the womb of their occupation."
"By the end of August, there will be no presence for British forces at the palace or at the joint coordination center. Both will be in the hands of the Iraqi government," says the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the matter. "I think it's best if they leave, because they did nothing to stop the militias, which were formed in the womb of their occupation."
Ahead of the pullout, an agreement between British and Iraqi authorities resulted in the transfer of more than two dozen Mahdi Army prisoners from British to Iraqi custody, according to the security official. They were then released by an Iraqi court in an attempt to pacify the militias during the highly symbolic handover of the palaces to Iraqis, he said. The British did not comment on any arrangements.
The departing force will join 5,000 soldiers at the Shaibah air base, about 10 miles southwest of the city, also home to the US and British consulates. Unlike their US counterparts elsewhere in Iraq, British forces have been gradually trimming their presence in the south since May 2003, when they numbered 18,000.
The Iraqi official says the palaces will be handed over to an Iraqi force dispatched from Baghdad and will not be given to the controversial provincial authority, which is embroiled in a power struggle between rival Shiite political parties. This 3,000-strong Iraqi force will consist of two Army battalions and elements from the Ministry of Interior's commando unit.
The Mahdi Army, which according to one estimate, numbers about 17,000 in Basra and is divided into about 40 sariyas (company-size military unit), is the strongest among its rivals in the militia-infiltrated police force and it has influence over vital sectors such as health, education, power distribution, and ports.
The departing force will join 5,000 soldiers at the Shaibah air base, about 10 miles southwest of the city, also home to the US and British consulates. Unlike their US counterparts elsewhere in Iraq, British forces have been gradually trimming their presence in the south since May 2003, when they numbered 18,000.
The Iraqi official says the palaces will be handed over to an Iraqi force dispatched from Baghdad and will not be given to the controversial provincial authority, which is embroiled in a power struggle between rival Shiite political parties. This 3,000-strong Iraqi force will consist of two Army battalions and elements from the Ministry of Interior's commando unit.
The Mahdi Army, which according to one estimate, numbers about 17,000 in Basra and is divided into about 40 sariyas (company-size military unit), is the strongest among its rivals in the militia-infiltrated police force and it has influence over vital sectors such as health, education, power distribution, and ports.
Although Basra, an economically important port city in a province with some of the largest oil deposits in the world, is considerably calmer and less violent than Baghdad, it faces a low-intensity, yet vicious, battle between the Mahdi Army and its many competitors that has spread fear and apprehension among many of the city's estimated 1.8 million residents. One local official says about 5,000 assassinations have occurred inside the city in the past two years.
The Iraqi official said releasing Mahdi Army fighters – combined with the absence of an excuse for militias to launch attacks on the palace – would give Lt. Gen. Mohan Hafidh, head of the Basra Operations Center appointed by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, enough breathing room to stabilize the province. But the PJCC left by the British Saturday was the scene of a four-hour looting spree Sunday, according to security officials.
"We will lessen the attacks against them [the British] and we will stop altogether if they release all our prisoners," said one of the Mahdi Army leaders at the Friday meeting. A colleague, who appeared more senior, disagreed: "The resistance will continue until the last soldier leaves Basra." Indeed, overall attacks against British forces have increased despite the gradual decline in troop numbers. This year, 41 soldiers have died, compared with 29 in all of 2006.
Although members of the Mahdi Army pledge allegiance to Sadr, many operate according to conflicting agendas and some are linked to Iran, according to security officials. Last week, efforts by police chief Maj. Gen. Jalil Khalaf to hem in the notoriously corrupt and militia-controlled intelligence and criminal investigation units of the police force were met with protests and threats. There have already been two attempts on his life since Mr. Maliki appointed him three months ago.
A candidate for the same post at the time said the Mahdi Army is the most formidable force in the province. He said that he was visited by five militia leaders who told him: "We will support you but people should know you are with us."
On the streets, there is a sense of jubilation and victory over British forces. In central Arousa Square, a street was renamed after the "martyr Jaafar Muhammad," killed in clashes with the British. "He's one of my guys. One of the valiant heroes of the Imam Mahdi Army," says a bearded company commander who gave his name as Uncle Abed. "God has blessed us with victory over the occupation."
"We will lessen the attacks against them [the British] and we will stop altogether if they release all our prisoners," said one of the Mahdi Army leaders at the Friday meeting. A colleague, who appeared more senior, disagreed: "The resistance will continue until the last soldier leaves Basra." Indeed, overall attacks against British forces have increased despite the gradual decline in troop numbers. This year, 41 soldiers have died, compared with 29 in all of 2006.
Although members of the Mahdi Army pledge allegiance to Sadr, many operate according to conflicting agendas and some are linked to Iran, according to security officials. Last week, efforts by police chief Maj. Gen. Jalil Khalaf to hem in the notoriously corrupt and militia-controlled intelligence and criminal investigation units of the police force were met with protests and threats. There have already been two attempts on his life since Mr. Maliki appointed him three months ago.
A candidate for the same post at the time said the Mahdi Army is the most formidable force in the province. He said that he was visited by five militia leaders who told him: "We will support you but people should know you are with us."
On the streets, there is a sense of jubilation and victory over British forces. In central Arousa Square, a street was renamed after the "martyr Jaafar Muhammad," killed in clashes with the British. "He's one of my guys. One of the valiant heroes of the Imam Mahdi Army," says a bearded company commander who gave his name as Uncle Abed. "God has blessed us with victory over the occupation."
Labels: Basra, British troop withdrawal, Lt. Gen. Mohan Hafidh, Mahdi Army, Shaibah air base
Friday, August 24, 2007
British troops on verge of pullout from Basra
Security
(The Guardian) - Britain's long-awaited and much-postponed pull-out from the Basra palace, its last remaining base in the Iraqi city, is imminent, sources have told the Guardian. The move, which is symbolically significant and will improve the safety of British troops, is expected to take place within the next two weeks and may come within days, officials say. An announcement will be made by the Iraqis.
The decision to hand over the palace to Iraqi forces comes at a time of growing criticism by elements in the US military of Britain's role in southern Iraq. The criticism is dismissed by British military commanders. "All indications are it shouldn't be far away," Major Mike Shearer, the army's spokesman in Basra, said when asked about the handover of the Basra palace. Privately, defence officials go further, saying a decision in principle has been taken and the 500 British troops based there are on the verge of leaving.
British troops have made it clear they believe their presence at the palace carries huge risks but serves no useful purpose. Kevan Jones, a Labour member of the Commons defence committee recently returned from a visit to Basra, described the delivery of supplies to the British garrison at the Basra palace as "nightly suicide missions". He added: "We have a force surrounded like cowboys and Indians in the Basra palace." Other MPs said British troops told them the only reason they were staying in southern Iraq was "because of our relations with the US" and "American domestic sensibilities".
Jack Keane, a former US general and Pentagon envoy just back from Iraq, told the BBC on Wednesday that the British were more focused on training Iraqi troops than controlling "deteriorating" security. He described the situation in Basra as "almost gangland warfare". Defence officials suggest American criticism is partly the result of deep-seated resentment at previous British criticism of the US in Iraq. A Foreign Office memo leaked in 2004 referred to "heavy-handed US military tactics" fuelling "both Sunni and Shia opposition to the coalition" which had "lost us much public support inside Iraq".
Major Shearer implicitly rejected US critics of British tactics. "We are absolutely moving in the right direction", he said. Britain was "giving space" to the Iraqis so they could take the lead in policing their city. "It makes absolute sense we reduce our operational footprint", he added.
"We would not hand over [to the Iraqis] believing we were going to create a security vacuum. That would be madness in the extreme," one official insisted. However, military commanders have long been frustrated by the time it is taking to train an effective Iraqi army in the south and by the problems forming a police force, many of whom have links with Shia militia.
The decision to hand over the palace to Iraqi forces comes at a time of growing criticism by elements in the US military of Britain's role in southern Iraq. The criticism is dismissed by British military commanders. "All indications are it shouldn't be far away," Major Mike Shearer, the army's spokesman in Basra, said when asked about the handover of the Basra palace. Privately, defence officials go further, saying a decision in principle has been taken and the 500 British troops based there are on the verge of leaving.
British troops have made it clear they believe their presence at the palace carries huge risks but serves no useful purpose. Kevan Jones, a Labour member of the Commons defence committee recently returned from a visit to Basra, described the delivery of supplies to the British garrison at the Basra palace as "nightly suicide missions". He added: "We have a force surrounded like cowboys and Indians in the Basra palace." Other MPs said British troops told them the only reason they were staying in southern Iraq was "because of our relations with the US" and "American domestic sensibilities".
Jack Keane, a former US general and Pentagon envoy just back from Iraq, told the BBC on Wednesday that the British were more focused on training Iraqi troops than controlling "deteriorating" security. He described the situation in Basra as "almost gangland warfare". Defence officials suggest American criticism is partly the result of deep-seated resentment at previous British criticism of the US in Iraq. A Foreign Office memo leaked in 2004 referred to "heavy-handed US military tactics" fuelling "both Sunni and Shia opposition to the coalition" which had "lost us much public support inside Iraq".
Major Shearer implicitly rejected US critics of British tactics. "We are absolutely moving in the right direction", he said. Britain was "giving space" to the Iraqis so they could take the lead in policing their city. "It makes absolute sense we reduce our operational footprint", he added.
"We would not hand over [to the Iraqis] believing we were going to create a security vacuum. That would be madness in the extreme," one official insisted. However, military commanders have long been frustrated by the time it is taking to train an effective Iraqi army in the south and by the problems forming a police force, many of whom have links with Shia militia.
Labels: Basra, British troop withdrawal, Major Mike Shearer, militias
Monday, August 20, 2007
British officers urging U.K. PM to withdraw forces from Basra
Security
(Telegraph) - British forces will face an "embarrassing and ugly retreat" if they pull out of Iraq too quickly, an adviser to the American president was reported as saying. But it was also reported that senior British officers are urging the Prime Minister to pull out the 5,500 troops without delay because there was "nothing more" they could achieve in Basra.
Stephen Biddle, an American academic and military adviser to President George W Bush, said when British troops pull out from their last barracks in Basra in the coming months it will be "a hard withdrawal". Rogue Shia militias, backed by Iran, were using multiple ambushes and bombings to create the impression that they were forcing Britain out of Basra.
"They want the image of a British defeat - it will be ugly and embarrassing," Mr Biddle, a senior fellow at the Council for Foreign Relations, told the Sunday Times. While Gordon Brown is thought to have wanted a rapid withdrawal he will now wait until at least after the American commander in Iraq, Gen David Petraeus, has reported to Congress on the success of the US "surge" on Sept 15.
At the Camp David meeting with President Bush, Gordon Brown said "we have duties to discharge and responsibilities to keep". But Army generals have advised the Prime Minister that "we have done what we can" in Basra and it was time to hand over control to the Iraqis, the Independent on Sunday reported. While commanders estimate that an orderly British withdrawal could cost between 10 and 15 dead, it was necessary for the Army's capability to remain "reasonably intact".
However, there are deep concerns among American commanders that a hasty British retreat would leave southern Iraq open to domination from Iranian-backed Shia militias who would also control its vast oil wealth. The CIA is also keen to keep a foothold in Basra where they can monitor the insurgents and Iran. Mr Brown said he would make a full statement on the Iraq situation when Parliament sits again in October. In the coming weeks the British mission will drop by 500 troops to 5,500 but could fall significantly next year.
Stephen Biddle, an American academic and military adviser to President George W Bush, said when British troops pull out from their last barracks in Basra in the coming months it will be "a hard withdrawal". Rogue Shia militias, backed by Iran, were using multiple ambushes and bombings to create the impression that they were forcing Britain out of Basra.
"They want the image of a British defeat - it will be ugly and embarrassing," Mr Biddle, a senior fellow at the Council for Foreign Relations, told the Sunday Times. While Gordon Brown is thought to have wanted a rapid withdrawal he will now wait until at least after the American commander in Iraq, Gen David Petraeus, has reported to Congress on the success of the US "surge" on Sept 15.
At the Camp David meeting with President Bush, Gordon Brown said "we have duties to discharge and responsibilities to keep". But Army generals have advised the Prime Minister that "we have done what we can" in Basra and it was time to hand over control to the Iraqis, the Independent on Sunday reported. While commanders estimate that an orderly British withdrawal could cost between 10 and 15 dead, it was necessary for the Army's capability to remain "reasonably intact".
However, there are deep concerns among American commanders that a hasty British retreat would leave southern Iraq open to domination from Iranian-backed Shia militias who would also control its vast oil wealth. The CIA is also keen to keep a foothold in Basra where they can monitor the insurgents and Iran. Mr Brown said he would make a full statement on the Iraq situation when Parliament sits again in October. In the coming weeks the British mission will drop by 500 troops to 5,500 but could fall significantly next year.
Labels: Basra, British troop withdrawal, Shiite militants, southern Iraq, Stephen Biddle
Monday, August 13, 2007
U.S. plasn to move troops into southern Iraq of U.K. pulls out
Security
(Gulf News) - The United States is getting ready to move thousands of troops into southern Iraq amid fears that British Prime Minister Gordon Brown is committed to withdrawing British troops early next year. The White House and the Pentagon are said to have chalked out plans to secure the vital link road between Baghdad and Kuwait when the British leave.
The US military on Sunday said five American soldiers were killed in fighting around Baghdad, four of whom died when a house rigged with explosives blew up outside the Iraqi capital. They were all killed on Saturday. The fifth soldier was killed by small arms fire while on foot patrol southeast of the capital. At least 29 American soldiers have now died in Iraq in August.
The US military on Sunday said five American soldiers were killed in fighting around Baghdad, four of whom died when a house rigged with explosives blew up outside the Iraqi capital. They were all killed on Saturday. The fifth soldier was killed by small arms fire while on foot patrol southeast of the capital. At least 29 American soldiers have now died in Iraq in August.
Labels: British troop withdrawal, southern Iraq, U.S. troops
Monday, June 04, 2007
British officers produce plans to expedite troop withdrawal from Iraq
Security
(The Guardian) - Senior British officers in Iraq have produced plans to speed up the withdrawal of troops, allowing the vast majority of the UK's 5,500 troops to return home within 12 months or less, it emerged yesterday. But government sources stressed that the proposal was one of several options which the Ministry of Defence is developing to present to Gordon Brown when he takes over as prime minister later this month. He is due to visit Iraq, where commanders will brief him on when the army could pull out.
Major-General Jonathan Shaw, the British commander in the south, is understood to have produced "tactical advice" which acknowledges UK success in training Iraqi security forces but also highlights the risks of remaining in Basra too long. It suggests withdrawing almost all troops by the end of December, leaving only a small number of teams in the south to advise Iraqi military forces.
According to the Sunday Times, this plan has been endorsed by Lieutenant-General Graeme Lamb, deputy coalition commander and the most senior British officer in Iraq, but has not yet won the approval of the chief of joint operations, Lieutenant-General Nick Houghton.
Meanwhile, the Sunday Telegraph quoted a senior military official as saying: "There is an agreed timetable, a glide path, which will see a complete unilateral withdrawal in 12 months." But a government source stressed that the military were exploring possible options, adding: "Withdrawal is all about conditions - we can plan for whatever we would like, but if the conditions on the ground are wrong it isn't going to happen."
Major-General Jonathan Shaw, the British commander in the south, is understood to have produced "tactical advice" which acknowledges UK success in training Iraqi security forces but also highlights the risks of remaining in Basra too long. It suggests withdrawing almost all troops by the end of December, leaving only a small number of teams in the south to advise Iraqi military forces.
According to the Sunday Times, this plan has been endorsed by Lieutenant-General Graeme Lamb, deputy coalition commander and the most senior British officer in Iraq, but has not yet won the approval of the chief of joint operations, Lieutenant-General Nick Houghton.
Meanwhile, the Sunday Telegraph quoted a senior military official as saying: "There is an agreed timetable, a glide path, which will see a complete unilateral withdrawal in 12 months." But a government source stressed that the military were exploring possible options, adding: "Withdrawal is all about conditions - we can plan for whatever we would like, but if the conditions on the ground are wrong it isn't going to happen."
Labels: British troop withdrawal, Gordon Brown, Major-General Jonathan Shaw
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Foreign mercenaries, contractors to exceed troop numbers in Iraq
Security
(FreeMarketNews.com) Although the announcement that Britain is withdrawing 1,600 troops from Iraq was labeled a success by US policy makers, officials at the British Foreign Office and Ministry of Defense are in talks to hire mercenaries to take the place of the troops, according to the Scotsman. Policy makers expect an increase in demand for mercenaries to fill the gaps of troops that are redeployed elsewhere. Mercenaries will also be in high demand for security services, highway patrolling, and the training of Iraqi soldiers.
Britain has already spent an estimated $314 million on mercenaries. The US has spent much more, and it has been projected that there will be more contractors in Iraq than troops. There are about 120,000 contractors and 135,000 US troops in Iraq. Critics argue that contractors are being used to hide casualty figures and remove accountability from the military. About 800 contractors working for the US Department of Defense have been killed in Iraq and an additional 3,300 have been seriously injured, according to the Associated Press.
Labels: British Foreign Office, British troop withdrawal, contractors, mercenaries
Friday, February 23, 2007
Iraqi government welcomes UK decision to withdraw troops
Security
(AP) The Iraqi government on Thursday welcomed the British decision to withdraw troops from Iraq, saying it is in line with plans for Iraqi forces to assume security for the country. Britain announced Wednesday that it will withdraw around 1,600 troops from Iraq over the coming months and aims to further cut its 7,100-strong contingent by late summer if local forces can secure the southern part of the country.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said it was "a decision in harmony with the government's intention to assume security responsibilities in the province," referring to Basra, a predominantly Shiite area 340 miles southeast of Baghdad. President Jalal Talabani also applauded the decision, with his spokesman saying it would act as a "catalyst for Iraqi forces to assume security responsibilities."
"His excellency considers it as a positive step and thanks British forces for their role in liberating Iraq from dictatorship and maintaining stability in Iraq," Talabani's spokesman Hiwa Othman said. British troops will remain in Iraq until at least 2008 and work to secure the Iran-Iraq border and maintain supply routes to U.S. and coalition troops in central Iraq, British Prime Minister Tony Blair told the House of Commons.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said it was "a decision in harmony with the government's intention to assume security responsibilities in the province," referring to Basra, a predominantly Shiite area 340 miles southeast of Baghdad. President Jalal Talabani also applauded the decision, with his spokesman saying it would act as a "catalyst for Iraqi forces to assume security responsibilities."
"His excellency considers it as a positive step and thanks British forces for their role in liberating Iraq from dictatorship and maintaining stability in Iraq," Talabani's spokesman Hiwa Othman said. British troops will remain in Iraq until at least 2008 and work to secure the Iran-Iraq border and maintain supply routes to U.S. and coalition troops in central Iraq, British Prime Minister Tony Blair told the House of Commons.
Labels: al-Maliki, British troop withdrawal, Talabani
