UK pulls out of joint headquarters in Iraq's Basra

[cal04]

Source: Reuters

Britain withdrew its contingent overnight from a joint headquarters it shared with Iraqi police in Basra as part of plans to pull its troops out of Iraq's second city, the British forces said on Sunday.

Britain, which has had control of security in Basra since it joined the United States in invading Iraq in 2003, has begun withdrawing this year and is expected to pull its forces out of their last base inside the town in the next week or two.

The British contingent in Iraq has been reduced from about 7,200 last year to about 5,500 now, even as the United States has sent an additional 30,000 troops. Britain has already withdrawn from two bases inside Basra and now has troops only at one base inside the city, a palace built for Saddam Hussein.

"There had been a small presence up to now of British forces in the PJCC (Provincial Joint Coordination Centre) for the support and mentoring of Iraqi police," British forces said in a statement.

Read more: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/GRA635469.htm

[rodeodance]

1. So, -----the next thing to give back is a palace. Very symbolic.

[grytpype]

2. AP: Militia Take Over Basra Police Station

That didn't take long.


http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/08/26/iraq/main3204483.shtml?source=RSSattr=HOME_3204483

Shiite militiamen from the Mahdi Army took over the police joint command center in Basra on Sunday after British soldiers withdrew from the facility and handed control to the Iraqi police, witnesses said.

Police left the building when the militiamen, loyal to anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, arrived. The militia was still controlling the facility as of late afternoon.

[Hissyspit]

3. British Move Out of Basra Police Center, Shiite Militia Moves In

Source: Associated Press

British move out of Basra police center, Shiite militia moves it
The Associated Press

BASRA, Iraq: Shiite militiamen from the Mahdi Army took over the police joint command center in Basra on Sunday after British soldiers withdrew from the facility and handed control to the Iraqi police, witnesses said.

Police left the building when the militiamen, loyal to anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, arrived, the witnesses said.

The British military disputed the reports, saying they had been in contact with the Iraqi general in charge of security in Basra, who has said the Mahdi Army was not there.

But the witnesses said the Mahdi Army emptied the building — taking generators, computers, furniture and even cars, saying it was war booty — and remained there in the early evening.

Read more: http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/08/26/africa/ME-GEN-Iraq-Basra.php

[rodeodance]

4. oh boy--------explane how security is so improved!!

[TwilightGardener]

5. LOL! Good to know everything is under control, huh?

Also good to know that all of the British lives wounded and lost there over the years have REALLY made a difference, isn't it? Iraq is Basra writ large--the same thing will happen when WE leave--all a sad and pointless waste.

[rodeodance]

6. oh jack!-----with what would we fill the gaps?---ghost soldiers??

Britain has withdrawn hundreds of troops from Iraq, leaving a force of around 5,500 based mainly on the fringes of Basra, 550 kilometers (340 miles) southeast of Baghdad.

Last Wednesday, former U.S. Army Gen. Jack Keane, who was vice chief of staff at the time the Iraq war was launched in 2003, said Britain has allowed deteriorating security in southern Iraq to get worse.

He warned that American troops may need to plug the gaps if Prime Minister Gordon Brown withdraws significant numbers of British soldiers.