World

British troops last day in Iraq as they hand area over to the US

by mudricky | April 30, 2009 at 02:17 am

270 views | 82 Recommendations | 6 comments

Today is the day British troops pull out of all combat missions in Basra and Iraq.

Right now there are 3,700 Brit troops in the country. At 12.15 after a ceremony the authority will be handed to American troops and they will take control of Basra.

The move, a month ahead of schedule, ends a six-year UK military presence.

British forces are to end combat operations in Iraq today - a month early - in a move that means they are finally returning home after more than six years.
A ceremony formally transferring authority to the Iraqis will take place at 12.15pm.

The drawdown of the bulk of the 3,700 UK troops remaining in Iraq will now speed up in the coming days.

In Downing Street, Gordon Brownsaid Britain and Iraq had begun a "long-term parterniship of equals".

After talks with Iraqi counterpart Prime Minister Nouri al Malikii Mr Brown said: "Today we are taking steps to strengthen and deepen our relationship and to make it a long-term partnership of equals.

"Today marks the closing chapter of the combat mission in Iraq. The flag of 20 Armoured Brigade will be lowered as British combat patrols in Basra come to an end and our armed forces prepare to draw down."

2 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | | facebook | stumbleupon

recommend This comment thread is now closed

Iffy (not verified)

at 06:39 on April 30th, 2009

How things have changed: I remember the British being so excited about killing Iraqis and cheering with the 'shock and awe'. I imagine they won't be relaxing for too long, what with the wars in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

hussain

at 06:54 on April 30th, 2009

What if they are returning after ruining a prosperous country along with their American leaders.

Jym (not verified)

at 10:31 on April 30th, 2009

After six years and spending an absolute fortune, they leave behind a broken Basra and people living in sewage with poor services. It is a farse they hand over to the Americans. They couldn't even do the security right: the Americans and Iraqis had to do that!