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Basra base withdrawal nears end UK Basra base exit 'not a defeat'
(about 1 hour later)
British troops in Iraq have almost completed their withdrawal from their last remaining base in the southern Iraqi city of Basra. Prime Minister Gordon Brown has insisted that the withdrawal of British troops from the southern Iraqi city of Basra is not a defeat.
The 550 soldiers are handing the palace over to Iraqi control and joining the remaining 5,000 troops at the last British base near Basra Airport. The 550 soldiers have handed Basra Palace over to Iraqi control and joined 5,000 UK troops at their last base, near Basra Airport, outside the city.
The MoD said the handover of Basra itself was now expected in the autumn. The MoD said the handover of Basra province was now due in the autumn.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown denied the withdrawal was a "defeat" and insisted it was "pre-planned and organised". Mr Brown insisted the withdrawal was "pre-planned and organised" and said UK forces would take an "overwatch" role.
He told the BBC's Today programme that UK forces would assume an "overwatch" role but could "re-intervene" if necessary.
Map showing location of Basra Palace and airport Map showing location of Basra Palace and airport
He added that the number of British troops in Iraq would remain roughly the same, and insisted that they would continue to "discharge our duties to the Iraqi people and the international community". This will mean troops cannot go out unless requested by Iraqi authorities, but they will still train and mentor Iraqi security forces.
The PM told the BBC's Today programme that the number of British troops in Iraq would remain roughly the same, and that they could "re-intervene" if necessary.
He promised that they would continue to "discharge our duties to the Iraqi people and the international community".
A Downing Street spokesman added the withdrawal was part of the ongoing process of handing over to Iraqi security forces.A Downing Street spokesman added the withdrawal was part of the ongoing process of handing over to Iraqi security forces.
'Iraqi-led initiative''Iraqi-led initiative'
He would not confirm this would mean an overall reduction in the number of troops in Iraq, saying this would "depend on the assessment of commanders on the ground over the coming weeks and months".He would not confirm this would mean an overall reduction in the number of troops in Iraq, saying this would "depend on the assessment of commanders on the ground over the coming weeks and months".
British troops started pulling out of Basra Palace on Sunday night. Most of the people on the ground that I've spoken to and most of the reports that I get seem to suggest that the security situation in Basra is absolutely dire Charles HeymanBritish armed forces expert class="" href="/1/hi/uk/6975583.stm">MoD statement on withdrawal class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/6975835.stm">A UK withdrawal or retreat?
Most of the people on the ground that I've spoken to and most of the reports that I get seem to suggest that the security situation in Basra is absolutely dire Charles HeymanBritish armed forces expert class="" href="/1/hi/uk/6975583.stm">MoD statement on withdrawal British troops started pulling out of Basra Palace in southern Iraq on Sunday night, and the MoD confirmed the withdrawal was complete on Monday.
BBC correspondent Richard Galpin in Baghdad said he had been told by sources that the pull-out was nearly finished and that Iraqi security forces were now in control of the palace. It added in a statement said: "Handing over Basra Palace to the Iraqi authorities has long been our intention, as we have stated publicly on numerous occasions."
An MoD statement said: "Handing over Basra Palace to the Iraqi authorities has long been our intention, as we have stated publicly on numerous occasions." Maj Mike Shearer, British spokesman in Basra, said a bugler from Four Rifles led the advance at 0100 local time.
He added: "There were no major incidents during the operation and all troops were back at the continuing operating base by midday today Iraqi time."
The MoD said UK forces would now operate from their base at Basra Air Station and "retain security responsibility" for Basra until the full handover. The military will continue to train Iraqi troops.The MoD said UK forces would now operate from their base at Basra Air Station and "retain security responsibility" for Basra until the full handover. The military will continue to train Iraqi troops.
Charles Heyman, an expert on Britain's armed forces, said it made military sense to withdraw from Basra Palace now.Charles Heyman, an expert on Britain's armed forces, said it made military sense to withdraw from Basra Palace now.
He told the BBC: "They are a long way from the main British base... which is at the airport and re-supplying those troops in the city is very, very difficult.He told the BBC: "They are a long way from the main British base... which is at the airport and re-supplying those troops in the city is very, very difficult.
The MoD says a full handover could happen in the autumnThe MoD says a full handover could happen in the autumn
"It is very dangerous and we've had a lot of casualties on the re-supply runs."It is very dangerous and we've had a lot of casualties on the re-supply runs.
"You could dress that up with a bit of political rhetoric to suggest now is the time to hand over - but most of the people on the ground that I've spoken to and most of the reports that I get seem to suggest that the security situation in Basra is absolutely dire.""You could dress that up with a bit of political rhetoric to suggest now is the time to hand over - but most of the people on the ground that I've spoken to and most of the reports that I get seem to suggest that the security situation in Basra is absolutely dire."
The head of Iraqi security forces in Basra province, General Mohan Tahir, gave details of the withdrawal at his first ever news conference in the city. The head of Iraqi security forces in Basra province, General Mohan Tahir, gave details of the withdrawal at his first news conference in the city.
He said Iraqi troops were now in control of Basra Palace.He said Iraqi troops were now in control of Basra Palace.
'Highly symbolic''Highly symbolic'
Our correspondent said this was a "highly symbolic moment, marking the end of Britain's physical military presence in any Iraqi city". BBC correspondent Richard Galpin in Baghdad said this was a "highly symbolic moment, marking the end of Britain's physical military presence in any Iraqi city".
He said it was his understanding that the British troops would primarily be involved in what is called an "overwatch" position.
I see this as a necessary step towards what I believe to be the withdrawal which would be in the interests of British forces Sir Menzies CampbellLiberal Democrat leaderI see this as a necessary step towards what I believe to be the withdrawal which would be in the interests of British forces Sir Menzies CampbellLiberal Democrat leader
This will mean they cannot go out unless called, but they will still train and mentor Iraqi security forces.
Over the past year British forces have handed over control of three Iraqi southern provinces, with only Basra province remaining under their control.Over the past year British forces have handed over control of three Iraqi southern provinces, with only Basra province remaining under their control.
The security situation in the city will be watched closely, as there are concerns rival Shia factions could vie for control.The security situation in the city will be watched closely, as there are concerns rival Shia factions could vie for control.
The Liberal Democrat leader, Sir Menzies Campbell, told BBC News 24 he thought the pull-out marked the end of British troops' role in Iraq. The Liberal Democrat leader, Sir Menzies Campbell, told BBC News24 he thought the pull-out marked the end of British troops' role in Iraq.
'Necessary step''Necessary step'
He said: "It's an admission that the sort of role which has been performed from Basra Palace is no longer effective.He said: "It's an admission that the sort of role which has been performed from Basra Palace is no longer effective.
"I see this as a necessary step towards what I believe to be the withdrawal which would be in the interests of British forces.""I see this as a necessary step towards what I believe to be the withdrawal which would be in the interests of British forces."
Shadow Defence Secretary Liam Fox said the forces' families would want to know every possible precaution had been taken to maximise the troops' safety during this period.Shadow Defence Secretary Liam Fox said the forces' families would want to know every possible precaution had been taken to maximise the troops' safety during this period.
"Our troops must not be put at needless risk to satisfy the political needs of Gordon Brown's government. Any moves must be based upon the military reality on the ground," he said."Our troops must not be put at needless risk to satisfy the political needs of Gordon Brown's government. Any moves must be based upon the military reality on the ground," he said.
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