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UK soldiers begin Basra pull-out UK troops begin Basra withdrawal
(20 minutes later)
British troops have begun to withdraw from their base at Basra Palace in the city, the Iraqi Defence Ministry has announced. British troops have begun to withdraw from their base at Basra Palace in the southern city, the Iraqi Defence Ministry has announced.
They are withdrawing to the last remaining British base near Basra Airport. They will join the remaining 5,000 troops at the last remaining British base near Basra Airport, on the outskirts of the city.
About 550 British troops were based at the Palace.About 550 British troops were based at the Palace.
A military spokesman in Basra, Major Mike Shearer, said: "I can confirm that an operation is ongoing, but we will not give any further details." A Downing Street spokesman confirmed Prime Minister Gordon Brown was aware of the operation.
A Downing Street spokesman said the withdrawal from Basra Palace was part of the ongoing process of handing over to Iraqi security forces. He said the withdrawal from Basra Palace was part of the ongoing process of handing over to Iraqi security forces.
He said the prime minister was aware that it was happening, but it was a military matter.He said the prime minister was aware that it was happening, but it was a military matter.
He would not confirm that this would mean an overall reduction in the number of troops on the ground in Iraq, saying this would "depend on the assessment of commanders on the ground over the coming weeks and months".He would not confirm that this would mean an overall reduction in the number of troops on the ground in Iraq, saying this would "depend on the assessment of commanders on the ground over the coming weeks and months".
In Basra, Major Mike Shearer said an operation was ongoing, but he would not give any further details.
US surgeUS surge
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".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".
But Mr Brown has refused to give any timetable for the withdrawal of UK troops from the country.But Mr Brown has refused to give any timetable for the withdrawal of UK troops from the country.
This could lead to a more uncomfortable relationship between Britain and America on this issue, our correspondent adds, at a time when the US is talking about reinforcing the surge of additional American troops.This could lead to a more uncomfortable relationship between Britain and America on this issue, our correspondent adds, at a time when the US is talking about reinforcing the surge of additional American troops.
The BBC's correspondent in Baghdad, Richard Galpin, 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.
Over the past year British forces have handed over control of three Iraqi southern provinces.
Only Basra province remains under their control, and there is speculation that that handover could take place within the next few months, our correspondent adds.