Britain formally ends Iraq combat operation
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AFP
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Mayıs 01, 2009 00:00
BASRA - British forces formally ended combat operations in Iraq yesterday, one month ahead of schedule, after a solemn ceremony to remember their dead comrades from six years of warfare. The conclusion of the military campaign, which began in March 2003, came as British PMGordon Brown met his Iraqi counterpart Nouri al-Maliki in London.
"Today marks the closing chapter of the combat mission in Iraq," Brown said. "The flag of 20 Armored Brigade will be lowered as British combat patrols in Basra come to an end and our armed forces prepare to draw down." "Today we are taking steps to strengthen and deepen our relationship and to make it a long-term partnership of equals," he added.
A formal ceremony was held in the southern city of Basra for the handover to U.S. forces by the British military, Washington's closest ally in the war.
"Today marks the end of the UK's combat mission in support of the government of Iraq," said Brigadier Tom Beckett, commander of 20th Armored Brigade, moments before the unit's flag was lowered. "But it does not mark the end of the UK's relationship with Iraq."
British troop numbers were the second largest in the Iraq campaign, peaking at 46,000 at the height of combat operations that resulted in Saddam's ouster and his eventual execution for crimes against humanity. The official withdrawal of forces was launched on March 31 when the pennant of the British headquarters in Basra was lowered and the base handed over to U.S. control.
A deal signed by Baghdad and London last year had agreed that the last 4,100 British soldiers would complete their mission - primarily training the Iraqi army - by June, before a complete withdrawal from the country in late July. Before the handover, British forces paid tribute to their 179 colleagues killed since the U.S.-led invasion. The names of the soldiers, sailors and airmen as well as those of 55 multinational forces personnel who died in British-led operations in the Basra area were read out at the memorial service.
A formal ceremony was held in the southern city of Basra for the handover to U.S. forces by the British military, Washington's closest ally in the war.
"Today marks the end of the UK's combat mission in support of the government of Iraq," said Brigadier Tom Beckett, commander of 20th Armored Brigade, moments before the unit's flag was lowered. "But it does not mark the end of the UK's relationship with Iraq."
British troop numbers were the second largest in the Iraq campaign, peaking at 46,000 at the height of combat operations that resulted in Saddam's ouster and his eventual execution for crimes against humanity. The official withdrawal of forces was launched on March 31 when the pennant of the British headquarters in Basra was lowered and the base handed over to U.S. control.
A deal signed by Baghdad and London last year had agreed that the last 4,100 British soldiers would complete their mission - primarily training the Iraqi army - by June, before a complete withdrawal from the country in late July. Before the handover, British forces paid tribute to their 179 colleagues killed since the U.S.-led invasion. The names of the soldiers, sailors and airmen as well as those of 55 multinational forces personnel who died in British-led operations in the Basra area were read out at the memorial service.