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MoD details Iraq troop withdrawal MoD details Iraq troop withdrawal
(30 minutes later)
Some 250 soldiers from the King's Royal Hussars are to return early from Iraq, the Ministry of Defence has said.Some 250 soldiers from the King's Royal Hussars are to return early from Iraq, the Ministry of Defence has said.
The battle group is among 500 troops due to pull out following the handover of Basra Palace to Iraqi authorities earlier in the month. The Wiltshire-based battle group is among 500 troops due to withdraw after the handover of Basra Palace to Iraqi authorities earlier in the month.
The withdrawal is part of a plan announced in July to reduce UK troop numbers to 5,000. The pull-out is part of a plan announced in July to reduce UK troop numbers to 5,000.
The soldiers will return to the UK over the next few weeks. The handover of Basra province is due in the autumn.The soldiers will return to the UK over the next few weeks. The handover of Basra province is due in the autumn.
The King's Royal Hussars are an armoured combat regiment based in Tidworth.
About 550 soldiers left Basra Palace on Sunday to join troops at the UK's Basra Airport base outside the city.About 550 soldiers left Basra Palace on Sunday to join troops at the UK's Basra Airport base outside the city.
The MoD said UK forces would "retain security responsibility" for Basra until the full handover, and continue to train Iraqi troops.The MoD said UK forces would "retain security responsibility" for Basra until the full handover, and continue to train Iraqi troops.