Withdrawal of UK troops from Iraq is postponed

Published on Tuesday 1 April 2008 17:24

PLANS to withdraw further British troops from Iraq have been put on hold in the light of recent disturbances in Basra, Defence Secretary Des Browne told the House of Commons today.

Mr Browne said that the UK deployment in the south of the country would be maintained at its current strength of around 4,000 while current conditions continue, though he insisted that the "clear direction of travel" was to reduce the British commitment.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced last October that he intended to reduce the number of troops at Basra Air Station to 2,500 from spring this year.

But withdrawals have had to be delayed following clashes between militias and Iraqi government troops in Basra and other parts of southern Iraq last week.

In a statement to MPs today, Mr Browne said: "Before the events of the last week, the emerging military advice, based on our assessment of current conditions then, was that further reductions might not be possible at the rate envisaged in the October announcement – although it remains our clear direction of travel and our plan.

"In the light of the last week's events, however, it is prudent that we pause any further reductions while the current situation is unfolding.

"It is absolutely right that military commanders review plans when conditions on the ground change...

"So at this stage we intend to keep our forces at their current levels of around 4,000 as we work with our coalition partners and with the Iraqis to assess future requirements. I would expect to be able to update the House on force levels later this month."

Mr Browne said that the British contingent in Basra was reduced from 5,000 after the security responsibility for the province was handed over to Iraqi authorities at the end of last year.

The Prime Minister's announcement that numbers would be cut further was always dependent on conditions on the ground, he said.

UK troops are currently performing an "overwatch" role in Basra and are providing support to Iraqi security forces, which was called upon during the recent unrest.

Mr Browne said that the situation in southern Iraq remained "fluid", though levels of fighting in Basra had fallen since the weekend.

During the last week, British troops have provided surveillance, flown fast jet missions over Basra as "shows of force" and used helicopters to help re-supply the Iraqi security forces, said the Defence Secretary.

Elements of one British battlegroup used tanks, armoured vehicles and artillery to provide "in extremis support" to Iraqi units on the ground, while one of the Iraqi headquarters was resupplied by another UK battlegroup.

Logistic support was also provided in the supply of food, water and ammunition and medical care was given to wounded Iraqi personnel.