UK troops poised to quit Basra

UK troops poised to quit Basra

www.timesonline.co.uk

BRITAIN is preparing to hand over control of Basra to the Iraqi army as early as next month, sparking renewed claims from the US that the British are preparing to “cut and run”.

The Iraqi army is on course to take control of Basra province by the autumn with October seen as the earliest point at which it would be ready, according to Whitehall officials.

(visit the link for the full news article)

Mod Edit: Removed excessive copy/paste over the 500 character limit.



[edit on 2-9-2007 by UM_Gazz]

Looks like the British army is going to be going from Iraq very soon, I have just seen on the BBC 24 news that they are right now moving to the airport in basra. Just waiting for more info. There not wasting time. www.nzherald.co.nz...

www.timesonline.co.uk
(visit the link for the full news article)

[edit on 2-9-2007 by Id123]

[edit on 2-9-2007 by Id123]

As has been said elsewhere they have done the job they were asked to do - including training a local force , and when compatant, to hand over control to them.

That was the madate for post invasion (liberation or whatever) operations - so its a case of `Job Done`; the US officials that are crying (into there milk and cookies) about the brits `cut and run` are not happy because there forces are seamingly tied up forever in an urban vietnam war (mr bush said it was like vietnam allready) and can`t see a good way out.

This has just been put on there website, well whatever happens it looks like the British are not going to be staying there much longer so its a good bet there going to afganistan

news.bbc.co.uk...

[edit on 2-9-2007 by Id123]

The BBC's political correspondent, Carole Walker, said this was part of Gordon Brown's own approach towards Iraq and part of "a real attempt to distance himself from the approach of Tony Blair".

good bye special relationship...

makes me wonder if what i`ve heard about the US forces leaving the UK has some truth to it and not just a line of randomness

reply to post by Harlequin


I never heard of the USA wanting to leave the UK, This will cause the USA problems though. From what I have read we are moving out real fast. Also the reports from British army brass not being very pleased with the results of working with the USA

I sure the USA is not going to enjoy talk like this,
afp.google.com...

As I have also read another top man in the army has said much the same. What do people think Bush might do with this news and the troops pulling back to Basra's main airport?

Originally posted by Id123
I sure the USA is not going to enjoy talk like this,
afp.google.com...

As I have also read another top man in the army has said much the same. What do people think Bush might do with this news and the troops pulling back to Basra's main airport?

Bush has known for ages and it is has been old news for ages that the UK would pull out of Basra.
My main worry is that they will now be sent to the hell hole that is Afghanistan.

reply to post by Chorlton


Yep I think its a fair bet thats where they will be going next, I hope they get some R&R in the interval! I feel that Bush though may well have been suprised that we are pulling back so quick. I be glad when my friends tip up back home though.

"UK troops poised to quit Basra"

Hmm not so much quiting, more that they have completed there Objectives to the best that the situation has allowed, and are now leaving Iraq to the Iraqi's they have trained.

No doubt the Americans will cry and stamp their feet, but the Brits are getting out now before this new Vietnam really starts to kick in. Troop Surge or not things are horrific Baghdad side atm.

Damn Tony Blair for actually selling Bushes bull **** to the British people. 45 minute attack window...please. Bush has turned the USA from one of the most popular nations into the most hated nation ever. No doubt Americans believe voting Democrat in the next election will make a difference. Theres too much blood on the nations hands now.

reply to post by Chupa101


LOL, Well I hope we have done what we had to in Basra, As for Mr T Blair the one about him not knowing that the missiles Saddam had could not target the UK makes me angry. What kind off reports does he read? I could have told him that!

I'm so happy at last that things are moving in the right direction. I'm so happy that our relationship with Iraq is going to end. I'm so happy that Brown is taking this stance with regards to the USA.

I'm so sad that we went there in the first place and caused so much damage to stable country. I'm sad because we're leaving the country in a right state.

O.k so what have our boys achieved in Basra?

Hmmmm we've gave them a corrupt police force and a army, a failed economy and no infrastructure.

Job well done............Time to Cut N Run me thinks and i don't care one bit as long as we're outta there!!!

Southern Iraq has always been more stable then the central regions of the country so it is logical that Basra would be one of the first places handed over to the local security forces. Providing the maintain a smaller reactionary force to back up the local security forces when required I don't have a problem with the British pulling out.

Well the BBC is claming that the pullback is now complete, I hope the iraqi forces can keep control. Its going to be hell for them if they cannot.

news.monstersandcritics.com..."complete%22_-_report

[edit on 3-9-2007 by Id123]

The US should seriously reconsider supporting the Iraqi security forces if the brits do a full withdraw, otherwise they may find themselves fighting their own way out of Iraq.

I'm expecting a large British reduction now.

A Downing Street spokesmen would not confirm this would mean an overall reduction in the number of troops in Iraq and many feel that a large amount to be brought home or sent to our sovereign bases in Cyprus.

They might even be withdrawn as far to the British Indian Ocean Territory Islands, which is home to numerous bases and is near(ish) to Iraq.

In other words, troops will be taken out but will be put in British overseas Colonies (can we still use that word?) near Iraq in case they have to be deployed again.

reply to post by infinite


I am happy they are getting out of there, It's along time coming for them. Maybe Mr G Brown really has put his foot down.

reply to post by infinite


I'd be surprised if there was more than a token force left in twelve months' time (if that, even). Britain did what it said it would - no more, no less. The Iraqi general who will take over the Basra area seems to think that his forces are up to the job, so we shall see.

Originally posted by infinite
In other words, troops will be taken out but will be put in British overseas Colonies (can we still use that word?) near Iraq in case they have to be deployed again.

Why not? That's basically what they are... colonies

reply to post by Ste2652


I agree with you on that, I really hope the British army has passed on some of it skills to the Iraqi forces. Job done? Well I am not to sure. I feel that the next few weeks will bring things to ahead in Basra. Given the right support by the British forces and training maybe to can do the job.

[edit on 3-9-2007 by Id123]

I think the Iraq police and the army are more than capable of running Basra. The question is, How much influence the Shia militias have and how far have they infiltrated the Police and the Iraq army.