British troops begin pullout from Iraq
Güncelleme Tarihi:
AFP
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Nisan 01, 2009 00:00
BASRA - British forces officially began withdrawing from Iraq yesterday, signaling the end of six years of military operations that began with the U.S.-led invasion that ousted Saddam Hussein.
The flag of the British headquarters in Basra was lowered at a solemn ceremony that marked the start of a months-long process that will see all 4,100 British troops out of the violence-wracked country by the end of July.
"Our nations are bonded by the blood we have shed together. That is a bond that no man can break," said General Ray Odierno, the senior U.S. army officer in Iraq, shortly before a U.S. army flag was raised and the colors of the Royal Marines lowered.
"You have restored hope where chaos reigned," he said before an audience of about 300 invited guests at Basra airport, including top U.S., British and Iraqi officers and diplomats from all three countries. The ceremony was also a recognition of the 179 British soldiers, airmen and sailors who have died in Iraq since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion.
Britain's chief of defense staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup paid tribute "to those who made the ultimate sacrifice" in what he described as a noble endeavor. "This occasion is about the countless number of men and women from the far-flung corners of the U.S. and from Britain who have striven with such courage here in Iraq," he said.
Major Gen. Andy Salmon, the senior UK officer in Basra, handed over the southern base to an American commander, in a key step toward all foreign troops leaving the country and a full return to Iraqi sovereignty. Britain, under Tony Blair, was America's key ally when President George W. Bush ordered his forces to invade Iraq in March 2003 to overthrow Saddam.
"Our nations are bonded by the blood we have shed together. That is a bond that no man can break," said General Ray Odierno, the senior U.S. army officer in Iraq, shortly before a U.S. army flag was raised and the colors of the Royal Marines lowered.
"You have restored hope where chaos reigned," he said before an audience of about 300 invited guests at Basra airport, including top U.S., British and Iraqi officers and diplomats from all three countries. The ceremony was also a recognition of the 179 British soldiers, airmen and sailors who have died in Iraq since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion.
Britain's chief of defense staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup paid tribute "to those who made the ultimate sacrifice" in what he described as a noble endeavor. "This occasion is about the countless number of men and women from the far-flung corners of the U.S. and from Britain who have striven with such courage here in Iraq," he said.
Major Gen. Andy Salmon, the senior UK officer in Basra, handed over the southern base to an American commander, in a key step toward all foreign troops leaving the country and a full return to Iraqi sovereignty. Britain, under Tony Blair, was America's key ally when President George W. Bush ordered his forces to invade Iraq in March 2003 to overthrow Saddam.